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Jazz String Quintet
Jazz String Quintet
Date Posted: July 03 2008
Written By: Mike Stephens
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Jim Gailloreto's Jazz String Quintet Blends Jazz and Classical Music Styles
BY MIKE STEPHEN
Jim Gailloreto is anything but your standard local jazz musician. And his Jazz String Quintet is anything but your conventional jazz group. Combining the string elements of chamber music with Gallilloreto's jazz soprano saxophone, the ensemble produces a beautiful and dynamic sound—music that contributes to the diversity of the Chicago music scene.
While sitting at a table next to the stage before a gig at the Green Mill recently, Gailloreto and his wife (also the band's cellist), Jill Kaeding, reflect on the origins of the Jazz String Quintet. It all started with a phone call Gailloreto received in 1997 from a composer friend asking if Gailloreto had anything written for saxophone and a string quartet that could be featured in an upcoming concert. "I basically lied," says Gailloreto, who didn't have a piece written at the time. After hanging up the phone, he went downstairs and worked for two months on what would be come the Jazz String Quintet's first piece, "Justina With Strings." The performance went so well that Gailloreto and the quartet decided to continue working together on future projects.
Over the past ten years the Jazz String Quintet has drawn inspiration from classical music and jazz. The improvisational aspects of jazz are still present in their music, along with a classical feel, and the end result is a complex but fascinating fusion of two different genres. The musicians in the quintet are accomplished, yet they still recognize that the compositions are challenging. Kaeding, who also plays cello in another local hybrid band that combines blues and classical—Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues—says that the music in the Jazz String Quintet pushes her to be a better musician. "It's very challenging rhythmically," says Kaeding. "It's a completely different language and approach to rhythm than you would have in a classical chamber group."
Gailloreto plans on continuing to gig with the group since the quintet’s music has been well received in Chicago. He notes that the band has been played on WFMT-FM, Chicago’s classical radio station, while still packing local jazz clubs when they gig. Local musicians have also been supportive of the quintet. "We all influence each other in terms of what we're doing…you always get a lot of feedback and support from [other musicians]," notes Gailloreto.
In addition to Gailloreto playing soprano sax and Kaeding on the cello, three other string players make up the band: Katherine Hughes and Carole Kalvonjian play violin, and Benton Wedge plays viola. Check out jazzstringquintet.com for upcoming gigs and audio samples.
Mike Stephen is the host of "Outside the Loop Radio" on WLUW-FM (88.7), airing Fridays at 6 pm and podcast on outsidetheloopradio.com.
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