pat mallinger

i enjoyed a warm november set by pat mallinger at the artists' quarter last night. mr. mallinger is an old school chum who often sneaks into town for a few shows around the holidays. we chatted briefly, mostly about kids, parents, and the fine public school arts education we received from grass jr. high and sibley sr. high schools.

some of my favorite musicians attended those schools, but pat was always the jaw-dropping standout. i never doubted -- not even for a moment -- that he'd make a fine living playing saxophone. that said, i wasn't prepared for the list of collaborators listed on his myspace bio:

... the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Harry Connick, Ramsey Lewis, Aretha Franklin, Eddie Higgins, Junior Mance, Cedar Walton, Weldon Irving, Gerald Wilson, Lalo Schifrin, Renee Rosness, Kurt Elling, Jack McDuff, Clark Terry, Randy Brecker, Doc Severinsen, Joe Lovano, Joshua Redman, Billy Harper, Jimmy Heath, Johnny Griffin, James Moody, Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Lee Konitz, Nick Brignola, Franz Jackson, Von Freeman, Buddy Defranco, Slide Hampton, Roy Hargrove, Lester Bowie, Marcus Belgrave, Lonnie Brooks, Big Time Sarah, Melvin Seals, Vince Welnick, Umphrey's McGee, and Dark Star Orchestra. Pat has toured with the Charles Earland Band, Artie Shaw Orchestra, and Woody Herman Orchestra.

dang. if you get to chicago, you can catch mr. mallinger in the funkier sabertooth, wednesdays at andy's and midnight on saturdays at the green mill.

this weekend, the whole quartet was terrific: peter schimke on piano, tom lewis on bass, and kenny horst on drums. aside from a mad sonny rollins cover, i most enjoyed the original compositions inspired by madeline and sauce melba. sweet.