PAPATAMUS REDUX

MAHAKALA RECORDS (RELEASED MARCH 6, 2026)

The new release from multi-instrumentalist Daniel Carter and drummer Steve Hirsh is indeed a Convocation — an assembly of people called together for a meeting. In this case, Mahakala founder Chad Fowler called these two musicians together to explore what happens when you combine the searching spirit of Carter with the natural rhythms of Hirsh. Unlike some academic convocations that are used to introduce students to each another and the institution, Carter and Hirsh need no introduction to one another. In addition to appearing on Phosphene with guitarist Sally Gates in 2024 (Mahakala  080), the two have been performing live over the past several years. They also don’t need any introduction to the institution of free improvisation. Carter has been investigating the genre for more than 33 years and Hirsh, is quickly becoming a first call drummer for many outstanding sessions on the Mahakala label. So, this Convocation is more about introducing listeners to the explorations of Carter and Hirsh as they come together to celebrate their passion for going deeper and deeper into the past, present and future of improvised music. Consider the opening track, Leaving Autumn, on which Carter’s trumpet moves from contemplative to assertive moods while Hirsh adds just the right percussive colors to accompany and propel Carter. Knowingly or not, Carter quotes the opening line of “Autumn Leaves” before switching to saxophone for more sonic conversations with Hirsh. The two flutter and swirl around each on the appropriately titled “Butterfly’s Shadow, which features Carter on sax floating free as a butterfly in the shadow of Hirsh’s sensitive brush work. Carter switches to piano on “When Love,” a tune on which both musicians seamlessly work through the many faces of love — tender, passionate, unforgiving and often chaotic. Steve’s rhythms caress Carter’s thoughtful sax playing on the more serene ”Sanctified.” Carter and Hirsh soothe, swell and swing on the title track with Carter on flute in a hypnotic Middle Eastern groove before shifting to trumpet as the music becomes more complex. Unlike some convocations you may have attended, don’t expect to be bored by the pronouncements from Carter and Hirsh on this Convocation. Much like the illustration of a tree on its cover, the music is constantly growing, everchanging in colors and strongly rooted in the essence of jazz. This is one Convocation fans of free improvisation will want to attend.

BOTTOM LINE: Convocation, the new recording from Daniel Carter and Steve Hirsh, can best be summed up in a mathematical equation — 1+1 = ∞. One is for the spiritual searching of multi-instrumentalist Daniel Carter. The other one is for the natural rhythms of drummer Steve Hirsh. It all adds up to infinite grooves, timbres, rhythms and dynamics that characterize the best in free improvisation.