The Whistler is proud to present a special three night residency featuring one of the most unique groups in the Chicago jazz scene, the Marc Riordan Quartet, who are celebrating the release of their new album Binoculars on Club Nerodia Records.  The quartet will play three consecutive nights on October 22, 23, and 24.

Marc Riordan is known to many as an incredibly adept and versatile jazz drummer who has lent his talents to experimental rock groups such as Wishgift and Health and Beauty.  In his own quartet, Riordan plays piano, displaying an interest in angular lines and overlapping figures. A Scott Joplin enthusiast, Riordan’s playing and compositional approaches hint at a highly abstracted ragtime.

Riordan spoke with us about his upcoming residency and new album, which you can hear a sample from above:

“The record Binoculars was recorded two years ago, and consists mostly of material that I wrote when I was a student in Boston, with a couple numbers written in Chicago around the time of the recording session.  I was fortunate enough to be anchored on this recording by three unique, dedicated musicians — Peter Hanson (from Brooklyn), Daniel Thatcher, and Tim Daisy.  We first assembled this band a few years ago for a concert in Chicago, and the chemistry that everyone had with the material and each other was instant, and rare.  The reason I love this band so much was evident in that first meeting: we have an incredibly fun time playing music together.  For our three-night run at the Whistler, Peter Hanson will be replaced by Chicago reedist Cameron Pfiffner, who has joined us (much to our delight) in the past.  The quartet will perform material from Binoculars, and develop some new music that I am currently working on.”

The Relax Attack Jazz Series presents the Marc Riordan Quartet at the Whistler on Monday, October 22nd through Wednesday, October 24th. All shows are at 10pm. Two sets. No cover.

—Billy