The goal of the NKCC is to bring together artists from different groups and different mediums to do new performance in new ways. The first Carnivals have consisted of film, West African dance, tap dancing, burlesque, body percussion, and circus arts.  This is all illuminated with music, including electronica, rock, jazz, bluegrass, oldtime, Western classical, group improvisation, with an emphasis on songwriting and singing.

Here are some photos, links, and the complete setlist from NKCC2. Josh and Nick painstakingly multi-track recorded the evening and are saying it's going to sound even better than the NKCC1 CD. Josh is mixing it and it will be available at the end of winter.

The first Concert Carnival CD is available now on iTunes (iTunes.com) and CDbaby (cdbaby.com).

Jason Hann tied for the Carnival MVP award (with Bryan Horne). He learned hours of complicated music and played it all well. He also brought several improvisations and raucous endings to full froth. With String Cheese Incident, I'd heard Jason mostly on percussion; at the NKCC2 he played mostly kit. So much fun to make sounds with this guy! Jason will be touring most of the winter and spring with EOTO.

Zach Gill brought in some great songs and was a beacon of light all night. "Handy Man" was a logical closer for the second set and I hope it will find its way into the ALO repertoire. Awhile ago, I sent this suave crooner the beginnings of a highlife song. He came back with an awesome melody, words, and direction, I wrote another verse, and we had "Limbs Akimbo." Playing this song was a highlight of the night for me. Aided by the four-piece percussion section, featuring Perry Quarshie from Ghana, and the inviting theme of the song, I experienced the most delightful floating feeling. 

I think Keith Terry impressed a lot of people on Thursday. Keith has studied body percussion from around the world and has created a very cool synthesis style. Watching him improvise with Jason Hann was one of the highlights of the show for me. Check his stuff out at crosspulse.com .

Evie Ladin grew up submerged in folk music and dance and you can see this in her work: music comes fluidly from her, easy as pie. It was fun to sing some slow duets including Precious Days, Able Hands, Dance Me, and What To Do. These songs somehow resonated with each other and made a complete little set. Check out her band the Stairwell Sisters.

It was very exciting to collaborate on some electronic music with Patch, from Heavyweight Dub Champion. We did a setting of my song "Able Hands" which consisted of live-mixed electronica supporting live vocals. Patch also did a remix of Hot Buttered Rum's "Desert Rat" which involved Jason Hann on drums. Any fan of this song should check out this fresh version (recordings available at the end of winter).

In the acoustically-oriented world, I've sometimes witnessed a strong bias against electronic music. It's a little bit silly to turn away from a whole genre. Like any other genre, there's crap and there's gems, and sadly the crap is sometimes more evident. However, I believe some of the most creative and innovative music is now coming from people using computers, tape, and vinyl. I think Patch's two sequences on Dec 20 opened some ears to this medium. A few of my other favorite electronic musicians: Bassnectar , Chemical Bros , EOTO .

Matt Butler was a bedrock presence once again. I decided to begin and end the show with improvisations, and Matt did a fine job leading the way. The Everyone Orchestra will be playing across the States this year.

"It stands to reason a threesome or foursome is more fun than just one another..." It was an honor to have my uncle and aunt Rodney & Helen sing the song that made them famous in the 70s "We Feel Like Swingin Tonight." Check out the short film about Rodney & Helen on their myspace page.

Sax man Charlie Midnight was in fine form. The rhythm of the night never felt so good.




Circus artist Krissy Humphreys.

After recording with Devo, and doing a Dunkin Donuts commercial in China, I feel like the Sweet Snacks' star has risen. I'm such a big fan! I met the Snacks near Gerlach, NV.

A surprise cameo appearance by Nicki and Tim Bluhm , backed by NKCC alumni Dan Lebowitz and Steve Adams.

A sincere apology to those of you at the show with milder sensibilities. I didn't know my uncle Rodney was going to be so inspired by the burlesque artist Miss Coconuts.

Here I wrestle Rodney offstage before he could go full-monty...

Thanks for supporting this endeavor. Put Dec 20th on your new 2008 calendar because we're gonna do it again. Bigger! Bolder!

cheers,
Nat

12/20/07 NAT KEEFE CONCERT CARNIVAL
Set I
1) improvistion
2) Rumi (words by Rumi/music by Nat Keefe)
3) Ocean of Stars (by Brett Dennen/Nat Keefe)
4) Keith/Evie cha cha dance
5) Aaron violin solo
6) We Feel Like Swinging Tonight (by Rodney & Helen Bolloni/Charlie Midnight)
7) Able Hands electronica (by Nat Keefe/Patch)
8) Danny's Song (Kenny Loggins)
9) Krissy juggling
10) Asleep on Your Porch (by Nat Keefe)
11) La Poblanita  (by Nat Keefe)

Set II
1) Precious Days (by Evie Ladin)
2) Able Hands (by Nat Keefe)
3) Dance Me (by Evie Ladin)
4) What To Do (by Nat Keefe)
5) Desert Rat Remix> (by Patch/Nat Keefe)
6) Jason/Keith improvisation
7) Oboatia Komfo (T.O. Jazz)
8) Zamina (trad. Ghanaian)
9) Limbs Akimbo (Zach Gill/Nat Keefe)
10) body percussion duet (Keith Terry/Evie Ladin)
11)This Human Story (Nat Keefe)
12) Hong Kong Ping Pong Champion Medley (the Sweet Snacks)
13) improvisation (full cast)
14) Burlesque by Miss Coconuts
15) Handy Man (Zach Gill)

E:
The Trial of John Walker Lindh  (Nat Keefe)
Autumn Song (Flip Dibner)

Recordings of NKCC2 will be available at the end of winter. NKCC1 is now available on iTunes and CDbaby.  Thanks to Adam Gromfin and Sue Weiand for photos of the event.


P.S. I was already having a good week... then I got to sit in with Brett Dennen at the Great American Music Hall opening for the Mother Hips on 12/19. I've been going to the Hips holiday shows for 15 years and it was an honor to be a part of it. Brett is in fine form. Check out his new song Holidays Are Here.