Tulsa guitarist, composer, and producer, Chris Combs, is set to release “Roche Blave: Large Ensemble Works Recorded Live in Switzerland” through the nonprofit Horton Records label April 30. Combs, known for his improvisational blend of jazz, hip-hop, and experimental elements in his work with Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey (JFJO) and his own band, COMBSY, was commissioned to write the music in 2012 by Jazzwerkstatt Bern, an international jazz festival based in Bern, Switzerland.

With influences like Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, and Ornette Coleman, this previously unreleased work was written for a 12-piece ensemble and includes three string quintets. Recorded live at the Jazzwerkstatt Bern festival February 22, 2013, "Roche Blave" pairs elegant strings and horns with a raucous rhythm section and Combs' distinctly Tulsa-tinged steel guitar. 

"They offered me a dream scenario," says Combs. "They gave me the freedom to put any type of band together, and they helped make it happen, using amazingly talented musicians from all over Europe. I’d never written for strings before, so I jumped at the chance to write for a large ensemble and string quintet. It was amazing to work with people from across the world. We’d never met before, but we still had so much in common. Even though we didn't all speak the same language, we communicated immediately through music. It was such a special experience."

Combs was joined in Switzerland by JFJO bandmate and bassist, Jeff Harshbarger. The ensemble includes musicians from Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. “Roche Blave: Large Ensemble Works Recorded Live in Switzerland,” will be available on all digital platforms.

Nashville multi-instrumentalist Fats Kaplin is the host of the Thursday, Nov. 3 taping of “Live From Cain’s,” a public radio show for a live audience at Tulsa’s historic Cain’s Ballroom, the show’s producers announced today. The evening features Tulsa’s Grammy-nominated John Fullbright as the musical guest, along with a performance from singer-songwriter Kalyn Fay, one of the Native artists highlighted on ᎠᏅᏛᏁᎵᏍᎩ (Anvdvnelisgi or “Performers”), a new album of contemporary music performed entirely in the Cherokee language and produced by Cherokee filmmaker Jeremy Charles. Tickets are on sale now at cainsballroom.com for the event.

Fats Kaplin is a renowned studio musician and multi-instrumentalist who tours regularly as part of Jack White’s backing band and has worked with everyone from Buddy Miller and Beck to John Prine and Elvis Costello. Adept in a wide-range of musical genres, Kaplin is an accomplished composer, as well as a ranked chess player and amateur magician. Closer to home, Kaplin played for years with Oklahoma-raised Kevin Welch and is closely associated with The Tractors, the country rock band formed in 1990 by (the now deceased) Steve Ripley and Jamie Oldaker. Most recently, Kaplin performed as part of the all-star tribute to Loretta Lynn at Nashville’s historic Ryman Theater Oct. 30. The evening included performances from Jack White, Margo Price, Wynonna Judd, and Brandi Carlile.

Fullbright will perform with the LFC House Band, The Oklahoma Specials, with bandleader Paul Benjaman (guitar), Aaron Boehler (bass), Paddy Ryan (drums), Jesse Aycock (lap steel), Stephen Lee (guitar), Roger Ray (pedal steel) and Jeremy Watkins (fiddle). The evening of music and conversation, which is open to the public, is also part of the scheduled programming for the Music Cities Convention, a global conference taking place in Tulsa Nov. 2-5, which explores the use and importance of music in the development of cities all around the world.

After recording the first episode of LFC in May 2019 in front of a live audience at Cain’s with musical guest Bonnie Bishop and host Robbie Fulks, LFC received a Developmental Grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to produce seven additional pilot episodes. With the arrival of Covid-19, LFC made a quick decision to turn to no-audience/closed venue livestreams and radio show tapings with artists like former US Poet Laureate and musician Joy Harjo, blues great Bobby Rush, and Grammy-nominated Shemekia Copeland.

LFC was recently awarded an Implementation Grant from CPB to produce eight additional radio show episodes and a variety of digital content.

“We’re honored to receive additional funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and we’re thrilled to be back to live radio show tapings,” says LFC’s co-producer, Kelly Burley. “We see Live from Cain’s as an opportunity to bring smart, edgy entertainment to a national public radio audience, as well as a great platform to showcase not only national talent, but Oklahoma talent, as well, and to highlight Tulsa as a premier destination for music, tourism and culture.”

WHAT: “Live from Cain’s,” a live audience radio show

WHEN: Thurs. Nov. 3, 6:30 PM doors/7:00 PM show

WHERE: Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main, Tulsa

TICKETS: $20 (advance/GA) available www.cainsballroom.com

Chris Combs – In Session: Live at The Church Studio, a new album from acclaimed musician, composer and producer, Chris Combs, is out this Friday, Aug. 15. The record will be available in Vinyl, CD and digital formats (pre-order here) and on all major streaming platforms. A release party is scheduled for Fri. Aug. 15 at the Colony, 2809 S. Harvard, Tulsa, beginning at 9 PM. 1st Verse, Tea Rush and several additional guests will perform with Combs and a full band.

Recorded in front of a live audience at The Church Studio, the former home of Leon Russell’s Shelter Records, the album is part of Church Studio’s “In Session” series, where guests experience an exclusive and immersive recording and listening experience with multi-track instrumentation delivered through a personalized headphone mix.

The record features eleven tracks, including new compositions from Combs and original songs by Tulsa singers/MCs, Tea Rush and 1st Verse, as well as several improvisations and a cover of a George Harrison tune. The music is brought to life by a handpicked ensemble of dynamic players, including Hank Early (Turnpike Troubadours) and Dan Oestreicher (Trombone Shorty &Orleans Avenue). The sound is urgent and expansive, capturing the raw energy, experimentation, and creative alchemy of live collaboration. The result is a genre-defying journey, blending jazz, soul, and ambient textures, while delivering a deep, groove-heavy soundscape for the listener.

Combs is a former member of renowned experimental jazz group, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, and his compositions reflect not only his technical skill, but also his delight in musical exploration.

“I’m really looking forward to sharing this new music,” says Combs. “We had such a wonderful experience recording in the historic Church Studios in front of a live audience. We think all of that energy transfers to this album and the listening experience.”

Chris Combs – In Session: Live at The Church Studio album available August 15 in (limited) Vinyl, CD & digital formats

Pre-order here

Watch “Beware of Darkness” video here.

Watch "Green Country Coastline (Improv 2)" video here.

Chris Combs – In Session: Live at The Church Studio Release Show

The Colony, 2809 S. Harvard, Tulsa OK

August 15; 9 PM, 21+

thetulsacolony.com