Interviews

The Wind Cries Marty (Krystall) K2B2 Records - A Baker's Half-Dozen

Sidebar 3: K2B2 Records - A Baker's Half-Dozen

Big Drum, Buell Neidlinger Quartet (K2B2 3069, 1992)
Recorded live in 1990, with Vinnie Colaiuta, drums, and Hugh Schick, trumpet. Neidlinger addressed the liner notes to the departed Herbie Nichols. Compositions by Neidlinger, Krystall, and Thelonious Monk.

Blue Chopsticks, Buell Neidlinger Quintet (K2B2 3169, 1995)
A smoking, all–Herbie Nichols program. Neidlinger is on cello, his first instrument as a child prodigy. The music swings light and hard at the same time. Excellent sound.

Across the Tracks, Buellgrass (K2B2 6923, 1996)
Genre-busting and unique. Great sound too. Jazz players playing bluegrass standards along with some Ellington, Charlie Parker, and Monk. With Krystall and Neidlinger, swinging violinist Richard Greene, Peter Ivers on harmonica, and Peter Erskine on drums. "Jerry Garcia said 'Man, your music is real Buellgrass!'"

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Songs for Soprano and Clarinet, Delcina Stevenson (Vivace VIV 8810, 2020)
Recorded in 2003, just released on Krystall's Vivace Records. American soprano Stevenson sings a 20th century composer program, with piano and clarinet. A beautiful voice and interesting sonics: Some selections were recorded on the famous 20th Century Fox scoring stage.

Liquid Krystall Displayed, Marty Krystall (K2B2 4269, 2012)
Here, Krystall is paying musical tribute to his early days spent playing R&B. A mix of original tunes and a couple from Monk get the Hammond B-3 treatment. Produced by the late, great Walter Becker.

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C.P.E. Bach. Sonatas, Rondos, and Fantasias for Connoisseurs and Music Lovers, Peter Serkin (Vivace VIV 8809, 2020)
Krystall recorded his friend and mentor Peter Serkin playing 6 CDs full of late C.P.E. Bach at Bard College in 2018. Released after Serkin's passing in February 2020.

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Blossom, Alexander Anderson (K2B2 4969, 2020)
Keeping the Kharma scales balanced, Krystall performs with 24-year-old pianist/composer Alexander Anderson. All compositions are by Anderson, with two sets of alternating drummers and bassists. This one was just released.

COMMENTS
Mikernz's picture
Submitted by Mikernz on November 10, 2020 - 9:08pm

THanks so much for this excellent article. I have several years ago purchased some of the K2B2 CDs, They are wonderful. I am glad to learn more about Mr Krystall.

TNtransplant's picture
Submitted by TNtransplant on November 11, 2020 - 11:00pm

A.B. Spellman's Black Music: Four Lives was among assigned books for a college course in the 70's and since then I've been fascinated by the music of Herbie Nichols -- by far the least well known among the four musicians profiled. It's an incredibly sad story that this incredible composer received so little attention during his lifetime and left so few recordings. (Note to Don Was & Joe Harley: please reissue Nichols Blue Notes!!!)

Fortunately musicians like Marty Krystall have recorded many Nichols compositions over the years, and hopefully will continue to do so with the passing of Rudd and Neidlinger.

Aside from his appearances with Neidlinger, I was not familiar with Krystall's work and looking forward to checking out his album with Tashi just ordered on Discogs.

Haven't heard several on the list but personally would've added wonderful The Happenings trio release with Krystall, Neidlinger and Howard Alden.

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