New Page 1


February 2002 By Luca Corte Rappis Ganesh, the most recent work of Dave Flippo, gives us a taste of the Orient through the eyes of a Westerner, uniting the cultures with his own unique philosophy. Born at the intersecting point of many cultures, the resulting jazz language has discovered how to gather the energies and exalt the qualities of each culture's music, succeeding where others have often failed. Flippo, a native of Chicago, chooses this city as a point of departure for a voyage in time and space, moving from the sounds of ancient instruments like the tabla to modern electronic instruments (and objects such as a giant steel garbage can). The music passes through the Indian atmosphere of Cool Ali, Battle of Shiva and Ganesh and Ganesh to the Greek Syrtotic, the Indonesian Shadow Dances and the swinging Sweet Imp. (The Battle of Shiva and Ganesh is a work that could be considered an opera in itself, taking the listener from the birth, development and termination of the conflict--the spectator is presented with a music so profound and vibrant that it seems to materialize in front of the listener's eyes.) Flippo, a person who seems to deeply appreciate Indian music and culture, is joined on his voyage with musical companions Dan Hesler (sax and flute), Donn De Santo (bass), Heath Chappell (percussion) and Aris Biskis (percussion). The CD alternates conversant ensemble pieces with a number of solo piano pieces (four Preludes and Shadow Dances), which are more like solitary meditations--true internal journeys. The musicians are capable of keeping the listeners together-- hand in hand, side by side--with their energetic and diverse rhythms. A sound is born, rich in shade and color, which is, at once, steeped in a study of the past while striving to understand the present and imagine the future. Flippo, in this work, seems almost to wants to demonstrate that music can be used as a means to reunite the many worlds one has explored throughout one's life, which lie scattered in the many corners of the mind. Three and a half stars (out of five)			Jazz Institute of Chicago Chicago on CD September 2001 Reviews by Marshall Vente and friends Flippomusic: Ganesh From the opening burst of explosive sound of its title track, Ganesh is as startlingly brash and original as its cover art suggests. Its musical boundaries span the globe with the sounds and styles and rhythmic influences, reaching from Africa to Arabia, to Ireland and India, and back here to the Chicago jazz scene. Although musician/composer David Flippo, the musical guru of Flippomusic, is based in Skokie and has been teaching and performing in the Chicago area for a number of years, his training in music history, ethnomusicology and Indian musical theory and practice (including a doctorate from the University of Michigan) has led his considerable composing, arranging and keyboard skills down a decidedly global path. Although Flippomusic's sound defies easy categorization, it frequently calls to mind the musical landscapes of Weather Report. But whereas that band fused elements of world music into a more homogeneous blend, Flippo seems to zero in on diverse styles and disciplines, and then turn them into something uniquely his own. Flippomusic, as a performing group, is diverse as well, including Lithuanian percussionist Aris Biskis, who plays the "stack-o-cymbals and beads," Heath Chappell, also on percussion, Dan Hesler, saxophone and flute, and Donn DeSanto on electric and acoustic bass. And for on this CD, these regular members are joined by tabla player Yatindra Viad on two tracks, and Julliard-trained flutist, Lyon Leifer, who plays "bansuri," an Eastern Indian bamboo flute on the tune "Battle of Shiva and Ganesh." As a member of the St. Louis Symphony, Leifer received a Fulbright government grant which led him to New Dehli, and then to Bombay, and an opportunity for study with the renowned Indian bansuri player and craftsman Devendra Murdeshwar. But, all diversity aside, this CD is a joy to listen to from beginning to end. The title track, "Ganesh," is based on an Indian raga and employs a fascinating melodic line that seems to turn on itself, shifting its rhythmic accents in mirror-like fashion, featuring fine solos from Dave and saxophonist Dan Hesler. Then, from the land of incense and elephants, Flippo takes us deep into the arid regions of the Mideast with "Camel Trot," incorporating non-traditional counterpoint and harmony with traditional Arabic scales. "Cool Ali," sounds a bit like Weather Report with Hesler's tenor sax cushioned in cool keyboard textures. Every tune is a stand-out and, as we, the listeners, journey through these tracks, the superb contributions of DeSanto, Chappell and Biskis become more evident, sweeping us up and away with seamless crescendos—taking us to dizzying heights and down again. Dispersed among the arranged ensemble tracks, produced by Flippo, Hesler and DeSanto, are several more recent solo piano performances, produced by Flippo and Bradley Parker-Sparrow. The inclusion of these more meditative interludes, all compositions by Flippo, add yet another intriguing dimension to this richly satisfying program.—Dennis Sieja Available on the Southport label, widely distributed in Chicago stores or via their website www.chicagosound.com . Featured Artist: Flippomusic Jazzreview.com *Jazz at a Glance* Volume 155

Spring 1995 New and Overlooked Geary Kaczorowski
On Flippomusic Globaljazz's Tendrils of Light (Southport SSD-002), David Flippo & Co. bring world music influences to bear on what is essentially jazz. Nothing new, right? What gives this recording so much more is the band's élan and their sharp musical chops. At times they offer very traditional jazz, but then go off to explore the world with such instruments as a grand piano, the Arabic dumbek, and the Indian tabla. Toss in some Latin percussion, and it becomes a potpourri of styles that keeps you guessing



Featured Artist: Flippomusic Jazzreview.com *Jazz at a Glance* Volume 155 *CD Title:* Ganesh *Year:* 2001 *Record Label:* Southport *Style:* Contemporary Jazz *Musicians:* Flippomusic is: Dave Flippo, composer, piano, keyboards, crawlaphone, vocals on track 2, leader; Dan Hesler, flute and saxophones; Donn DeSanto, acoustic and electric bass; Heath Chappell, drum and percussion; Aris Biskis, percussion, dumboek, bongos; Lyon Leifer, bansuris on track 7; Yatindra Viad, tabla on tracks 7, 14. *Review:* GANESH is one of the most interesting contemporary jazz/world music CDs I have heard in recent years, each song a reflection of intricate and unusual jazz motifs that are original as well as entertaining. I have always been fascinated by and hold a respect for the Hindu religion simply because it has a honest voice and has had to overcome a lot of prejudice in the past 100 years. Those who know Hindu mythology are aware of the importance of the god known as Ganesh. Ganesh is there to help one overcome personal burdens, act as the remover of obstacles, share wisdom and to guide one on her or his spiritual journey, among other attributes. Odd as it may seem, I was recently give a twelve pound hand-carved Ganesh bookend carved out of stone, given to hold up my corner of six jazz reference books and a dictionary! A wonderful gift with a remarkable carved face of an elephant. It sits quietly on my computer table holding up the dictionary. Strange, wonderful things do come about one's way at times! This collection contains 14 remarkable jazz works, starting with "Ganesh" (Malconce raag)," and including such eclectic sounds as found in the songs "Battle of Shiva and Ganesh" (Gujri Todi raag), "Shadow Dances," "Sweet Imp," "Syrtotic," "The Jig's Up," "Prelude: Prayer," "Gyromaniations." The listening audience will find each song as different as night is from day. I found the performances flawless, perfectly matched to the jazz material at hand, and whether a solo or group performance, excellent. GANESH is something that will capture the listening audience's attention completely with its world music flavor and contemporary jazz combination. Many images float through these songs, and the listening audience will discover unique images in each of these songs. "American Crawl," "Camel Trot," and "Cool Ali" are other fine songs that bear close attention. For some very intricate piano work, take a few listens to the sounds on "Shadow Dances." Each musician is toprate in GANESH. David Flippo is excellent as a pianist, creating and sharing his unique musical ideas with the audience in a flawless, straight-ahead fashion. A change of pace, refreshing, combining and reinventing, lively, gentle, classical forms, challenging and exotic, GANESH is an interesting brew, a special cup of tea that the jazz listening audience will embrace for its concepts, images, and ability to share feelings of sound with each listener. This collection will come across as personal, close, intimate, and sensitive to each listener, as if created for that listener alone to partake of! To be able to share successfully jazz visions with the audience is what GANESH is all about. Perfect. *Record Label Website:* http://www.chicagosound.com *Reviewed by:* Lee Prosser			REVIEW: Tendrils of Light One of the most unusual and appealing bands to spring up in Chicago of late, Flippomusic Globaljazz speaks a language of its own making--and a beguiling language it is. Part Arabic melody, part Asian harmony, part American boy ( and so on ), the band creates a sound, a texture and a brand as exotic as it is original. Listen to the sinuous flute lines on "Buddha's Siests," the unusual rhythmic ideas on "Antelopin;" and the lush textures on the title track, and you'll hear a music at once complex and transparent, sophisticated and accessible. Further, the way this band utterly transforms such jazz standards as "Do Nothin' "Til You hear From me" and "Well You Needn't" defies expectations. It's a terrific recording, but here's hoping it marks only the beginning for keyboardist and composer David Flippo's ensemble. Joined by electric bassist Steve Hashimoto, reed player Dan Hesler, percussionist Aras Biskis and various guests (including percussionists Hamid Drake and Michael Zerang), Flippo has created a band with ample promise. Howard Reich

			By Howard Reich Tribune Arts Critic Of all the Chicago jazz ensembles searching for new sounds, one of the more alluring has to be Flippomusic, the rare band of musical adventurers who prefer to seduce the ear rather than accost it. That leader Dave Flippo and his colleagues do so by combining elements of jazz with Middle Eastern melody, makes the venture all the more intriguing. Flippo, who played the "Wednesday-night "world music" at the Jazz bulls, on North Lincoln Park West, obviously is not the first jazz improviser to find source material and inspiration in music of far-off cultures. That technique dates as far back as Jelly Roll Morton, who brought elements of "Spanish tinge" (his own term for Latin elements) into his own early jazz. Almost a century later, Flippo's way of blending two seemingly disparate musical idioms proves as fresh and contemporary as it is provocative, thanks to the sophistication of his compositions and the virtuosity of his players. Certainly any jazz musicians who build a set on pieces titles "Zimbabalupi," Antelopin'" and "Arabopic" are up to something unusual. The exotic scales, oddly undulating textures and strangely complex chords that define all of these works also distinguish Flippo's idiom from almost anything else around. So, too does some of the band's instrumentation, with Flippo playing keyboards, melodica and what he calls a "three-octave thumb piano." As for the band's repertoire, its' consistently interesting. In "Arabopic," for instance, Flippo and friends apply the energy of classic be-bop to non-Western scales and modes. On "Camel Trot," Dan Hesler's insinuating phrases on soprano saxophone are backed by lush harmonizations and colors. With Steve Hashimoto playing ingratiating lines on electric bass and Heath Chappell and Aras Biskis layering intricate cross rhythms on percussion, bandleader Flippo has put together an ensemble well worth nurturing.

Tendrils of Light