Richmond Magazine's Eighth Annual
Theresa Pollock Prizes for Excellence in the Arts
Ensemble Catagory
Hotel X
Finding for X
by Harry Kollatz
The selectors said: Hotel X, Richmond, Va.'s 10-member World Jazz Collective, makes an irresistibly joyful African-based sound. Featuring the lyrical trombone of Dave Brogan and the tenor saxophone stylings of "Instrument Of Mass Instruction" Danny Finney (supported by a cast of drums, congas, bass, dual guitars, keyboards, alto sax and bass clarinet), this multigenerational ensemble lays down a foot-stomping rhythmic groove, and their rich melodies dance all over it. This is music for the mind, booty and spirit, and the enthusiasm of its presentation is truly contagious.
The film-noir-style name of this Afro -jazz world music organization is derived from the nickname given to 809 Idlewood Ave. For more than 20 years, musicians lived and bands formed there.
Co-founder Ron Curry remarks, "Its been a remarkably prophetic name-some have stayed [with the band] for a night, others for years."
With a laugh, co-founder Tim Harding adds, "Two checked in and didn't check out."
They estimate that since its 1992 inception in 809's basement, there have been about 60 members of Hotel X. The current roster of 10 includes, Harding says, "the two known genders, all shapes and sizes and colors and hues."
Two weeks after its formation, the ad hoc band (with a name borrowed from another band that had stopped gigging) sent a tape of improvised tunes recorded on a cheap boombox to Greg Ginn of SST Records. Harding remembers, "A few days later, he called us back and said, 'I want to record you guys.'"
Hotel X made six recordings between 1992 and 1996 for SST, a label founded by members of punk icons Black Flag, which was expanding its offerings. A seventh record was almost completed before SST folded; thus the band has tapes in the vault.
Curry, from Front Royal, Va., and Harding, from Williamsburg arrived in Richmond to attend VCU during the 1980's, Curry to study art, Harding as a physics and music double major. They instead graduated into music making.
Over the years the band has played with a diverse group of performers ranging from "free jazz" flutist and saxophonist Byard Lancaster to former Ornette Coleman guitarist Bern Nix. Their music is influenced by African by way of Africa, via the Caribbean, and through the interpretations of the members, including some 60 original compositions by Harding.
"Much of the great material that goes back to Africa is amazing because it is embracing the joy of life," he says. "Despite what horrible things may be happening politlcally, this is endlessly rich music because it doesnt deny the struggle it is to live in some of these countries, and because it embraces the complicated beauty in life, and in music."
.