Musician (2007)

Common sense says you cant make a living in America playing avantgarde improvisational jazz But Ken Vandermark does it anyway Among musicians Vandermarks work ethic is almost mythic The Chicago reed player has released over 100 albums with nearly 40 ensembles spends over eight months per year on the road and lives every other waking moment composing arranging performingand trying to discipline his two hyperactive canines Though Vandermark was the recipient of a 1999 MacArthur genius grant he still spends most of his life in smoky clubs and lowbudget recording studios hoping people will plunk down hardearned cash to hear his wholly noncommercial music Following the artful cinéma vérité style of the internationally acclaimed Sheriff Work Series 1 Musician Work Series 2 forgoes all interviews and voiceovers It is a flyonthewall time capsule that expertly captures every subtle sound and texture of this most American of art forms