Way Out West Concert Series - Ratatet at Rendon Hall

CJC's Way Out West Concert Series provides composer-performers with a weekly showcase for forward-looking original work in jazz and related genres. Presented in the California Jazz Conservatory's intimate Rendon Hall, Way Out West proudly highlights the work of Bay Area musicians every Tuesday evening, while also welcoming occasional visiting artists.

Alan Hall's Ratatet 7 (an original jazz based septet featuring bassoon, soprano, alto and tenor sax, clarinet and bass clarinet, trombone, vibraphone and a piano trio) will explore new tunes and arrangements as they continue to push on various musical boundaries...

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CJC's Way Out West Concert Series provides composer-performers with a weekly showcase for forward-looking original work in jazz and related genres. Presented in the California Jazz Conservatory's intimate Rendon Hall, Way Out West proudly highlights the work of Bay Area musicians every Tuesday evening, while also welcoming occasional visiting artists.

Alan Hall's Ratatet 7 (an original jazz based septet featuring bassoon, soprano, alto and tenor sax, clarinet and bass clarinet, trombone, vibraphone and a piano trio) will explore new tunes and arrangements as they continue to push on various musical boundaries. Alan Hall started Ratatet in 2014 after writing for, and performing with Electreo, a unique trio with drums (Alan Hall), bass (Jeff Denson) and bassoon (Paul Hanson). He recorded on Hanson albums and always wanted to form a band with him. Alan taught and toured Europe with Jeff and Lee Konitz, where their musical relationship flourished. Electreo was an outgrowth of these musical connections. Seeking more sonic possibilities to compose for, Hall began his Ratatet personnel search. Hall met trombonist John Gove at a recording with San Francisco Latin Jazz group, The Mission Project. Dillon Vado, as one of the most serious students at California Jazz Conservatory, was Alans first choice for the vibraphone chair. While working with guitarist Michael LaMachia, Hall was impressed with Greg Sankovichs solid playing and bouncy attitude. Hall found his personnel. Alan has been a member of "The Sheldon Brown Group" for over 10 years and has recently asked Sheldon to bring his prodigious talents and creativity to Ratatet. Ratatets first CD, Arctic, garnered great reviews and was named one of the best 2016 bay area jazz releases by jazz journalist Andrew Gilbert in his article for the San Jose Mercury. Grants from SF InterMusic and Creative Sonoma allowed the Spring 2018 release of Ratatets second Ridgeway CD, Heroes, Saints and Clowns along with their YouTube video, "Demographic Shift." The members of Ratatet have played and/or recorded with an assortment of great musicians, groups and organizations which include: Ed Simon, Geoffrey Keezer, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Omar Sosa, Billy Cobham, Art Lande, Minsarah, Clubfoot Orchestra, Paul McCandless, Lee Konitz, Cirque Du Soleil, Kenny Werner, Kai Eckhardt, Cuong Vu, and Ralph Alessi.

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