Operation Northwoods - The Bureau of Fiction (2013)

Operation Northwoods is a new band formed by four accomplished young musicians who have collaborated on innovative projects together for many years. Trumpeter Douglas Detrick and saxophonist Hashem Assadullahi first met while completing their graduate studies in Eugene, Oregon, and went on to collaborate on numerous projects, including Hashem's pub-rock band Safety Buffalo and Doug's award winning chamber-jazz crossover band, the Anywhen Ensemble. Pianist Andrew Oliver and guitarist Dan Duval have worked together on many projects over the last decade, including genre-bending minimalist jazz ensemble the Ocular Concern and modern big band and non-profit presenting organization the Portland Jazz Composers' Ensemble. Operation Northwoods was founded by these four unique improvisers and composers as a forum for the exploration of chamber oriented art music drawing on elements of jazz, minimalism, and the avant garde. The band was formed immediately after Doug and Hashem relocated to New York City, and so the few opportunities the group has had to collaborate have been very special due to their scarcity. Their debut EP, "The Bureau of Fiction," was recorded over two days seperated by exactly two years. The result is a highly unique yet charming and accessible collection of musical oddities with a strong chamber sensibility, a playful sense of humor, and many passages of elegant grace and quiet repose. Equally appropriate as title music for a cooking show or as concert music programmed alongside the avant garde, "The Bureau of Fiction" is an exciting debut and a promising step towards great future accomplishments for this highly idiosyncratic but always fun and friendly quartet.

Tracklist:

1. Remember the Maine (5:45) (Detrick)
2. The Garden of Forking Paths (5:12) (Duval)
3. Getting Got (5:47) (Assadullahi)
4. 54"40' or Fight (7:21) (Oliver)
5. Operation Northwoods, Part 1 (0:59) (Assadullahi)
6. One (5:06) (Detrick)
7. The Bureau of Fiction (8:03) (Oliver)
8. The Zeppelin Ride, Part 2 (5:03) (Duval)
9. Saturn's Return (5:12) (Assadullahi)
10. Operation Northwoods, Part 2 (3:25) (Assadullahi)

Personnel:

Douglas Detrick, trumpet;
Hashem Assadullahi, soprano and alto sax;
Dan Duval, guitar;
Andrew Oliver, piano.