The Whammies Play The Music of Steve Lacy Vol. 2 Driff Records 1303 Jorrit Dijkstra - alto sax, lyricon, analog electronics Jeb Bishop - trombone Pandelis Karayorgis - piano Nate McBride - bass Han Bennink - drums Mary Oliver - violin, viola All compositions by Steve Lacy, except Shuffle Boil by Thelonious Monk. Pregnant Virgin is based on a text by St. John of the Cross (1542-91), Art is based on a poem by Herman Melville, Somebody Special is based on a poem by Brion Gysin, Feline is part of the suite The 6 Sides, Saxovision is based on a poem by Steve Lacy. The Whammies (named after a Steve Lacy tune) brings together musicians from three cities, united by an interest in creating adventurous improvisational forms. The band’s focus is on the music of Steve Lacy, recorded or not. Originally from Amsterdam, saxophonist and bandleader Jorrit Dijkstra has long lived in Boston, where he has found common musical ground with pianist and co-founder Pandelis Karayorgis. Dijkstra is a former Lacy student and researcher of his music. Former Bostonian Nate McBride and trombonist Jeb Bishop are stalwarts of the Chicago jazz community, noted for their tenures alongside Ken Vandermark in projects such as Powerhouse Sound, The Engines and the Vandermark 5. Dijkstra and Karayorgis have both collaborated extensively with Chicago musicians in groups such as The Flatlands Collective, Pillow Circles, Duo Karayorgis/Vandermark, and the PK Quintet. The éminence grise is legendary 70-year-old Dutch drummer Han Bennink, who played with Lacy in the 1980s. Bennink’s bandmate from the Instant Composer’s Pool (ICP), violinist Mary Oliver, completes the sextet.