Nathan Clevenger Group

Nathan Clevenger Group
Stateless

Release date: 11/01/2019

Slow & Steady Records announces the release of Bay Area avant-chamber ensemble Nathan Clevenger Group’s Stateless. A stalwart of the Bay Area’s new music scene for over 20 years, Clevenger once again brings together his regular cast, featuring many of the Bay’s most established and in-demand improvisers and collaborators. While Clevenger’s writing on his previous release Observatory focused on themes of escape and expansion, on Stateless, the guitarist and composer turns his gaze inward, “focusing on homefront and community (both positive and negative aspects) as well as more autobiographical moments that have generally occurred here at home in Oakland,” writes Clevenger.

Another change in Stateless is the instrumentation and sonic palette Clevenger uses – for the first time, his Group features two drummers (Jon Arkin and Jason Levis – panned right and left, respectively), plus a wide array of percussion instruments, vibraphone (Tim DeCillis), as well as cello (Crystal Pascucci) on select tracks. Still, as Clevenger notes, “beyond just the obvious change in textural possibilities, the two drums and vibes thing definitely springs from a desire to more overtly extend counterpoint – a long-standing obsession of mine – into the rhythmic realm.” Indeed, nearly every song on Stateless demanded highly detailed, composed drums parts.

Rounding out the Nathan Clevenger Group is alto saxophonist Kasey Knudsen (“I rarely make a move without her,” says Clevenger), multi-reedist Cory Wright (“His versatility has put him on all three horn books through the years”), clarinetist Rachel Condry, and Lisa Mezzacappa, who took the bass chair from for founding member Sam Bevan. From Clevenger’s methodical writing, to inspired improvisations spread throughout his talented ensemble,  there’s much at play on Stateless, a recording that continues to reward the listener with every pass.

KASEY KNUDSEN: alto sax
CORY WRIGHT: tenor sax, clarinet, flute
RACHEL CONDRY: bass clarinet, clarinet
NATHAN CLEVENGER: guitar, Wurlitzer piano, B-3 organ,
harmonium, glockenspiel
LISA MEZZACAPPA: bass
JON ARKIN: drums, claves, brake drum, mini maraca, misc metal
JASON LEVIS: drums, gongs, cowbell, bowls, guiro, woodblock, tambourine
TIM DECILLIS: vibraphone, guiro, shakers, riq, cowbell, claves
CRYSTAL PASCUCCI: cello (on 2, 4, 9, 10)

Compositions by Nathan Clevenger
Recorded & Mixed by John Finkbeiner at New, Improved Recording,
Oakland, CA. January & May 2019. Recording Assistant: Jay Pellicci
Mastered by Myles Boisen at Headless Buddha Labs, Oakland, CA
Production design and back cover/inner sleeve paintings by Kim Miskowicz