Ingebrigt Haaker FlatenWhen Wed 10/11, 10 PMWhere Hideout, 1354 W. WabansiaPrice FreeInfo 773-227-4433
Haaker Flaten made the big leap across the Atlantic to be with his girlfriend, Trea Fotidzis. The couple met in summer 2005, when Fotidzis traveled to the Kongsberg Jazz Festival in Norway with her friend Mitch Cocanig–one of the organizers for the local improv collective Umbrella Music–and within months they were certain it was time to live in the same city. When it came down to deciding which city, there wasn’t much contest–Haaker Flaten had already developed musical friendships with a number of Chicagoans.
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
“I thought I knew what America would be like, because we experience so much of it in Norway through television and movies,” says Haaker Flaten. “But it’s been strange.” The bassist says he’s inspired by the challenge of adjusting to a new culture, and when he’s actually been here–so far his European road schedule has kept him from spending more than the occasional two- or three-week stretch in Chicago–he’s focused on that task, putting aside music for the most part. “I really want to experience this for a while,” he says. “I think it’s important to take your time and get things going.” Last week at Elastic he debuted the first band he’s formed since the move: a Chicago version of his Norwegian quintet, it includes guitarist Jeff Parker, drummer Frank Rosaly, and reedist Dave Rempis. (Violinist Ola Kvernberg, a member of the original lineup, flew in for a week of rehearsals before the concert.)
Right now Haaker Flaten is in the middle of five consecutive weeks in Chicago–his longest stay so far–and he wants to make his presence felt. He’s got two gigs in town this week, including a quartet appearance Thursday at Elastic with locals Kevin Drumm and Fred Lonberg-Holm and legendary British saxophonist Evan Parker. But even more significant, from a certain standpoint, is his show on Wednesday at the Hideout–he’s one of ten Chicago improvisers playing two sets in small ad hoc groups. “I’m definitely feeling like I belong here now,” he says.
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): photo/Hayley Murphy.
