The Squid's Ear Magazine


Philadelphia Company, The: #1: The First Meeting (Roeba)

A plater, a teacher & a drummer walk into a rehersal room... parts 1-5
 

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product information:

Personnel:



Heath Watts-soprano saxophone

Dan Pell-drums

Barry Chabala-guitar


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Label: Roeba
Catalog ID: Roeba
Squidco Product Code: 8518

Format: CDR
Condition: New
Released: 2007
Country: USA
Packaging: Cardstock Sleeve
Recorded May 19, 2007.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Harkening back to the days of John Steven's Spontaneous Music Ensemble and Derek Bailey's Company events, The Philadelphia Company has borrowed from both of these models the idea of a somewhat permanent, ever-changing group of improvisers performing in various combinations."-Roeba


Artist Biographies

"Heath Watts is a soprano saxophonist living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who specializes in free improvisation and free jazz. He has released three albums on Leo Records, Sensoria, Bright Yellow With Bass, and Breathe If You Can. Roeba Records released Philadelphia Company #1 in 2007 with Watts, drummer Dan Pell, and guitarist Barry Chabala. He has also self-released the album 2x with pianist Alexandra Swaney in 2007.

A soprano saxophone specialist, Heath includes Steve Lacy, John Coltrane, Evan Parker, David Liebman, and Lol Coxhill among his major influences. While learning to play the soprano saxophone, he relied heavily on the pedagogical materials of NEA Jazz Master David Liebman. Heath has had the opportunity to perform with David Liebman, Sam Newsome, Vinny Golia, Andrew Cyrille, Marc Helias Andrew Raffo Dewar, Jack Wright, François Grillot, Jay Rosen, Michael Szekely, and Matt Lavelle.

This web site will provide you the opportunity to hear and purchase tracks and albums from Heath's discography. In addition, you can follow his performance schedule, see concert footage, and see concert photos. There will also be a blog section where he will share his insights about practicing and taming the soprano saxophone and improvisation. Heath considers this site to be an opportunity to connect with those of you who enjoy his music and would like to know more about him and his work."

-Heath Watts Website (https://heathwatts.com/bio)
4/2/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Guitarist/improvisor Barry Chabala, born of the New Jersey bar scene, is influenced as much by classic rock as he is by modern classical, free improvisation and experimental music. The goal - to blend it all into a personal, creative voice. Barry has presented lectures on graphic scores & improvisation for Bowerbird of Philadelphia, performed numerous compositions from the Wandelweiser collective throughout the United States, and has recorded for labels including Confront, Gravity Wave, Another Timbre, Erstwhile and his own imprint Roeba Records."

-Barry Chabala 4/2/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



Heath Watts-soprano saxophone

Dan Pell-drums

Barry Chabala-guitar

Related Categories of Interest:

July 2007
Improvised Music
Free Improvisation
Trio Recordings

Search for other titles on the label:
Roeba.


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The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

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