Paul Motian's Transcendence ... Something Known as ... Turtleboy

[charles t]

“Turtleboy is an exciting amalgamation of the Paul Motian Trio, Radiohead, and so much more. This group is on the vanguard of the horn-guitar-drums format and barreling ahead full speed.” – Dave Douglas

And the name Turtleboy? Turns out it was inspired by Paul Motian – Jon: (Jonathan Lindhorst, tenor sax) “Honestly, the first time I saw Paul play I thought he looked like a turtle. He’s bald and really skinny, and was wearing a green wool sweater….In keeping with my esoteric sense of humour, and love of sci-fi and comics, I also created a Turtleboy character with a whole backstory.” But, says Adam (Adam Miller, drums), “In Smart Matter it’s taken on an aspect of turtle symbolism, such as patience, wisdom and so forth. Also, there are various creation myths that have the world on the back of a turtle….These ideas are beginning to give the name Turtleboy a more cosmic reference.”

[Serial_Apologist]

Thanks Charles - I enjoyed that and only hope his basement decor doesn't contravene any fire regulations.

I once spoke to Paul Motian - it was when he was over here with Ethan Iverson, backing our Martin Speake. Very droll manner he has. When I asked him if he'd seen Annette Peacock lately he asked why I wanted to know. "I met her once" I answered. He then said, "No, but if you see her before I do, give her my love".

[charles t]

Thank you, S.A. for your input to that whimsical opus. I have just finished suffering through the hour-and-half: Beware Of Ginger Baker documentary and Turtleboy now lives in Sesame-Street-land.

The only time I heard Paul Motian was when he was backing up the Zoot Sims-Al Cohn group, probably at The Five Spot.

I remember that someone at the bar asked for a Bossa Nova tune and he went near-apopleptic.