Search - Erik Friedlander :: Ocalypso

Cellist Erik Friedlander salutes Oscar Pettiford Friedlander has been on New York s Downtown music scene since the 1990s. He has worked to stake out new territory for himself and his instrument but has never recorded a project of cover tunes before. OSCALYPSO is a celebration of the music of bassist Oscar Pettiford who according to Friedlander was innovative on the cello too. "When I look to history for a role model, it s Pettiford. says Friedlander, Pettiford played the cello with such swing and melody. He was the first to lead a band from behind the cello. And he wrote original tunes, some of which are now classics. Pettiford had a special feel for the instrument -- he even named his son Cello! He s always been a hero of mine." OSCALYPSO features 9 original Pettiford tunes. "I love the elegance of Pettiford s lines. He s such a savvy and joyful composer, Friedlander explained, I know he had some rough times with alcohol, and he could be bitter, but his writing is buoyant, even sweet. You can t help but smile when you play." The record has some of Pettiford s most familiar compositions, like Bohemia After Dark and Tricotism as well as less well known tracks like Cable Car and Cello Again. Joining Friedlander on OSCALYPSO is Trevor Dunn on bass, Michael Sarin on drums, and saxophonist Michael Blake.