Jazz nerds are always debating whether or not jazz is dead. Four Philly residents haven’t seemed to have gone to any jazz funeral and are doing their part to keep it young and fresh. Shot x Shot is a quartet (alto, tenor, bass and drums) of University of the Arts graduates making music steeped in the jazz tradition with a contemporary slant. They are able to perform a perfect blend of the composed and improvised, mechanical and organic, intellectual and pure emotional music not only with ease but with constant improvement. High Two Recordings releases the aptly titled Let Nature Square this month. The album is a sophomore attempt for these young improvisers, though this is their first recording in a proper studio environment and the results sound amazing. I had a minute to talk with some of the members of Shot x Shot about music and life in Philadelphia.

Describe your music?
Dan Capecchi: An exploration between more-structured sound growing out of less-structured sound, less-structured sound growing out of more structured sound, and their coexistence.
Dan Scofield: Our music is based on long form compositional material that gives way to, hopefully, organic collective improvisation.

What are some of your influences?
Dan Capecchi: Ornette Coleman, Tim Berne, Tom Rainey, Tony Oxley, Oliver Messiaen.
Bryan Rogers: Miles Smiles era Miles [Davis].
Dan Scofield: Also film music and the jungle.
What do you find most inspiring about Philadelphia?
Dan Capecchi: I think I would say the music community.
Bryan Rogers: I appreciate that the cost of living is low and that there is a small but excellent and very active scene… also I guess some of the people here. The people I’m working with can be inspiring.
Dan Scofield: Philadelphia is inspiring because it’s always an uphill battle. It tricks you into thinking it’s easy, and then it pulls out the rug. So, it’s inspiring to know that you’ll have to work around that.

What is your favorite venue (in Philly) to play? What is your favorite venue to listen?
Dan Capecchi: I like to play in gallery spaces- Circle of Hope is nice, though I wish there could be a bar in there. I wish all the good shows were at Johnny Brenda’s it’s one of my favorite places to go hear music.
Bryan Rogers: I liked playing at the 5 Spot, but it burned down. Right now I enjoy listening at Circle of Hope.
Dan Scofield: My favorite Philly venue to play is 3321 Spring Garden followed by the Tritone. For listening I’m hoping there will be a new venue soon. I’m working on programming local jazz and experimental music at Gojjo on Baltimore between 45th and 46th starting in late spring.

High Two
www.hightwo.com

Shot X Shot
www.shotbyshotmusic.com