Tim REYNOLDS & MICHAEL SOKOLOWSKI
This guitar and keyboards duo performed together in Virginia in the late 80s/much of the 90s, and recorded two albums 29 years apart: 1992’s Common Margins and 2021’s Soul Pilgrimage. Whereas Common Margins was a direct-to-two-track recording of free improvisations for grand piano and semi-hollowbody jazz guitar, Soul Pilgrimage is the result of a meticulous distance collaboration that occurred over time during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Soul Pilgrimage will be released on June 22, 2021.
Here are two Soul Pilgrimage tracks in their entirety (one is on the body of the page, the other in the footer)
Here is the whole album represented by clips.
The album can be purchased in a variety of formats at breezewayrecords.com.
Sokoband
Formed in 1990 as a piano/bass/drum trio playing the compositions of pianist Michael Sokolowski, Soko (formerly, "Third Ear") was, in a sense, a proto-jam band, exploring far-flung improvisation via jazz-influenced rock instrumentals. The band (Sokolowski, with Houston Ross & Johnny Gilmore on bass and drums, respectively) worked relentlessly, honing a sophisticated ensemble rapport where set lists and stock arrangements weren't needed and the trio felt free to disappear into the rabbit hole of the moment, musically reinventing itself every night and developing a strong relationship with its audience. For six years, it remained an underground or "best kept secret" kind of band within a very exciting and creatively fertile Charlottesville music scene. When hitting the road, Soko never failed to turn enthusiastic new listeners on to its fresh and compelling melodic grooves. Many artists sat in with the band, including many appearances by saxophonist LeRoi Moore, Stickist Greg Howard, percussionist Darrell Rose, and guitarist Tim Reynolds.
In 1997, the band released its debut CD, In November Sunlight, featuring guest appearances by members of Dave Matthews Band (Dave, LeRoi Moore, and associate guitarist, Tim Reynolds) -- friends of the band and fellow Charlottesville musicians. Because of this association, the disc achieved high sales numbers for an instrumental record. But from a performance and production standpoint, the recording failed to capture the band at its best.
The band disbanded in 1998, though Sokolowski and Ross remained close friends and musical partners. In 2000, the two began work on their follow-up recording, Two enlisting the help of many studio musicians to flesh out the textures and arrangements. Whereas Soko's music had previously been exclusively about Sokolowski's tunes, now Houston Ross began to collaborate as a writer, arranger, and singer. It took a long time, but in 2005, the CD was released. Though not a commercial success, the band believes it is a far superior musical offering to In November Sunlight.
Two pieces -- "Storyteller" and "Stella: Reflections" -- from Soko:Two were featured in filmmaker Jon Ezrine's dark and comic documentary, Son of a Bitch! (2007).
Most recently, the two musicians joined forces with formidable drummer, Nir Z (Genesis, Chris Cornell, Joss Stone, Jason Mraz and many others) to release a re-recording of In November Sunlight in an effort to render more definitive versions of their early material.
Sokoband was released in 2010, and included a bonus track of material from the Two sessions. The album features exciting and beautiful collaborations with jam band guitarist extraordinaire, Steve Kimock; Grammy-winning cellist and composer, David Darling; Tower of Power saxophonist, George Brooks; and other musical luminaries—in addition to friends from Dave Matthews Band—reprising their roles.
Sokoband was released in 2010, and included a bonus track of material from the Two sessions (and features the powerful saxophone playing of Charles Owens)
Piano, Violin, Percussion, Compositions / Michael Sokolowski
Bass, Guitar, Percussion, Compositions/ Houston Ross
Drums / Nir Zidkyahu
Michael SOkolowski
"There is a family of musicians in Charlottesville unlike any place I have ever been. It's people like Michael Sokolowski who make it so special. He's world class." -- Dave Matthews, RCA Recording Artist
Michael has been performing, composing and producing music professionally for more than 30 years. After studying philosophy and music composition in college, he abandoned a graduate school academic path to spend time collaborating with some of the leading lights of Virginia’s improvisational music scene in the 1980s (including modern guitar legend, Tim Reynolds; Chapman Stick master, Greg Howard; jazz trumpet great, John D’Earth; Dave Matthews Band saxophonist, Leroi Moore; and pianist Don Pullen’s favorite bassist, Lenny Martin). Michael’s love of free improvisation manifested in a duet album with Tim Reynolds and the formation of Offering (a multi-instrumentalist trio with Tim and Worth Proffitt). Offering released two CDs, including a live recording from New York’s Knitting Factory in 2001. In 1985, he toured Europe as pianist with Lexington’s Tim Eddy Trio, settling into an extended performance residency in Paris, France—most notably appearing in legendary film director Frederic Rossif’s loving portrait of the French music scene, Coeur des Musiciens. Sokolowski's instrumental trio (with master funk bassist Houston Ross and late drummer extraordinaire Johnny Gilmore), Soko (now Sokoband), was a vital part of Charlottesville's musical landscape for most of the ‘90s and Sokolowski’s most important musical project.
Over the last ten years or so, Michael put his musical projects on the back burner in order to focus on his e-commerce career and devote more time to family. Now that the kids are grown, he’s jumping back into musical creativity in a big way. He’s working with Houston on writing and recording a new Sokoband record; playing in a rehearsal jazz trio with Offering drummer Worth Proffitt; and recording an assortment of near-to-his-heart cover tunes. In addition, Tim Reynolds and Mike plan a follow-up to Common Margins. And in an exciting new development, 2018 will see the launch of Sokolowski’s local music interview podcast, Hometown Fliers, a show where Michael and the stars of local music scenes will explore the relationship between art and place.
Selected bands:
Blank Frank (prog rock cover band, 1978) 4:05 (original instrumental fusion, 1979-81) Hi-Fly (jazz quartet, 1983-85) Tim Eddy Quartet (1984-85) The Scoop (classic rock/R&B, 1986) The Stains (blues/rock, 1987-89) The Basics (Leroi Moore’s improvised funk ensemble, 1991-92) Offering (1990-2001) Soko/Sokoband (1990-present) MixoMatic (cover song mashup band, 2007) The Electricians (improvisation-oriented Grateful Dead tribute band, 2010-present)
Offering
Three multi-instrumentalists and close friends exploring deep listening improvisations and open-ended compositional structures. Offering began in Charlottesville, VA in the late 1980s as a purely free improvisational ensemble in the midst of a heady experimental scene that included John D'Earth and Dawn Thompson's Cosmology, Leroi Moore's Basics, Greg Howard & Tim Reynolds' Sticks & Stones, and Code: Magenta (Leroi Moore, Dawn Thompson, Greg Howard). Local jazz impresario, Reggie Marshall brought the cutting-edge to town on a regular basis in those days (Cecil Taylor, Sun Ra, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Oregon, Andrew Cyrille, David Murray, Oregon, Jack DeJohnette's New Directions, Bill Frisell, Anthony Braxton, Don Pullen, George Adams, and many others). This music inspired and fed the local scene. Tim, Mike, and Worth began to jam in Worth's garage. One Saturday afternoon, a particularly potent mushroom infusion brought the three musicians together on the same wavelength and a powerful ensemble sound was born. Offering has released two albums ten years apart: Offering (1991) and Live Offering -- Knitting Factory, NYC (2001). The band won't rule out more music in the future.
THe electricians
Formed out of a deadhead jam in 2008, this group is the most distinctive Grateful Dead cover band on the planet because it improvises on a high level without forsaking the arrangements and important motifs in the music. As a result, the music sounds modern rather than nostalgic, and fresh rather than tired. Lead guitarist John Zias' early 70s band, Cavalry, was the first Dead cover band to ever form. John went on to graduate Berklee College of Music and become an accomplished and versatile instrumentalist. John's stellar tone and deeply sourced melodicism profoundly transcends the jam band genre and takes the listener to new places not visited by the Dead, while using the same compositional vehicles. Complementing John's vision is a band of highly skilled, close-listening artists in their own rights. The music breathes and morphs and flies and burrows and deconstructs and reconstructs itself. True ensemble improvisation —— never merely riffing —— with resolute attention to the music's original compositional and arranging detail marks The Electricians' aesthetic approach. They're always available for booking, so check out their YouTube channel to see what the fuss is all about.
Personnel: John Zias, lead guitar & vocals; Jon Ezrine, rhythm guitar & vocals; Dan DeGregory, drums & vocals; Billy Sokol, bass; and Michael Sokolowski, keyboards.
BREEZEWAY RECORDS
Established in 1990, Breezeway is Michael's independent record label and brand umbrella for all of his musical and consulting work. Creative musicians are encouraged to get in touch if they think they might be a good fit for the label.
Discography
Michael Sokolowski & Tim Reynolds, Common Margins, Improvisations for piano and guitar (Breezeway, 1992)
Soko, In November Sunlight (Breezeway, 1996)
Worth Proffitt, Tim Reynolds & Michael Sokolowski, Offering (Breezeway, 2000)
Michael Sokolowski, Monday (Breezeway, 2001) solo piano
Proffitt/Reynolds/Sokolowski, Knitting Factory, NYC, 6/24/01, Live Offering (BreezewayArchives, 2004)
Shannon Mier, On the Failure of Science to Understand My Spirit (2003)
Soko, Soko: Two - (Breezeway, 2005)
Earth Bombs Mars, Earth Bombs Mars (2008)
Voodoo Loons, The Criminal Ear (2014)
Triple Fret, Fall Risk (2016)
Son of a Bitch!
(2007) A son explores his hilarious and often disturbing relationship with his narcissistic mother as well as the rest of his dysfunctional family.
—Jon Ezrine, writer/producer/director
filmography
Hollywood director Jon Ezrine chose two pieces of music from Soko:Two for his dark, hilarious, and touching documentary about familial dysfunction, Son of a Bitch! "Storyteller" opens the film in a haunting and dramatic way, while "Stella:Reflections" adds poignancy and pathos near the film's resolution.
Improvisation Coaching
Groundbreaking method for better understanding harmony and improvisation.
Fascinated by the art of improvisation, but not feeling confident about your own ability to play with freedom, authenticity, and resonance? Does the prospect of learning how seem overwhelming? Is the language musicians use to describe music theory confusing and off-putting? Do you feel cursed by your love for music and desire to play because you don't think you have the talent?
If any of those questions strike a chord with you, I highly recommend David Reed's brilliant and approachable book, Improvise for Real. In fact, even if you're an accomplished improviser and/or teacher, I recommend this book. I predict that Mr. Reed's method will eventually form the basis for mainstream understanding of western harmony, and that this book will be on every music library's physical and virtual shelves. As the book maintains, you don't study harmony in order to learn to improvise. You learn harmony through improvising. If you're a piano student with the book and would like some help applying the exercises to your practice OR if you would simply like to learn how to improvise, Michael is available for IFR coaching sessions (in person or via Skype). Just visit the Contact tab and drop us a line.