Father Figures Make Zombie Jazz Come Alive

By Jon Graef in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 9, 2010 5:30PM

Though the phrase “zombie jazz” can conjure up images of undead ensembles using guttural saxophones and murderous trumpets to feast upon their listeners’ brains, the truth is that, despite the distinctive press release descriptor, Brooklyn-based quintet Father Figures’ self-titled debut is evocative of another horror titan entirely: Victor Frankenstein. Their cohesively fragmented approach to music Father Figures consists of 5 hours of improvised recordings recorded onto 4-track, uploaded onto digital, then whittled down and re-arranged to 18 tracks. This would suggest an mad scientist-like degree of obsession that’s begging to backfire.

Yet Father Figures prove that they’re far more in control of their lumbering, yet limber, post-jazz monster than Frankenstein was of his. Fans of the more multifarious aspects of Tortoise, and Tom Waits’ smoky Tin Pan Alley excursions, should find equal comfort here, as pieces like “You’re Not My Real Dad” and “Hot Tea Part 3” blend woodwinds, saxophones and upright bass for an approach that packs a live rock-band punch with an instrumental and compositional dexterity rarely found.

With their adventurous debut, Father Figures should find themselves heralded as role models for anyone willing to follow in their musical footsteps. There are three opportunities for Chicagoans to see Father Figures this weekend, and, should they miss any of them…well, then they’ll have no excuse but to answer to the legion of the jazz undead. Best of luck.

Father Figures play Friday, July 9th at Ball Hall, 1621 N Kedzie Ave with Animal City, Campfires, Heat Death, 8 p.m, donations

Sunday, July 11th at The Cave @ Serbian Cultural Center - St. Sava, 448 W. Barry Ave., with Tony Barba's Face Time, 9 p.m., donations;

Monday, July 12th at Rumble Arts Center, 3413 W. North Ave. improvisation workshop and performance, 6-8 PM.