1. A moment from my new tune 'If Or When' 2. Always locked in while improvising 👯♀️ 3. Yvonne sounding incredible on Good Intentions (of course) 4. Swirling on 'Whirl' courtesy of Kayvon's flow 🌀
Thank you everyone who came out and thank you thank you @riosakairi and the whole @thejazzgallery team!!
P.s. Huge shout out to Sarah on sound !! (Sorry for moving around so much ! xo)
Playing with this insane band next week at Close Up. We'll be performing the music from TETHER (celebrating the first single), which comes out June 26 on @leiterverlag - come hear the full two bass configuration, NYC edition ✨
‘Face the Wall’, the first single from Alden Hellmuth’s forthcoming album ‘Tether’ is out now — a punk-inflected riot built on the unusual architecture of two basses, alto saxophone and drums. Bassists Logan Kane and Miller Wrenn pull at the rhythm from opposite sides of the stereo field while drummer Justin Brown drives the band forward; over the top, Hellmuth’s alto cuts sharp, wiry lines through the low-end weight.
The track captures the album’s central tension — written form and unruly freedom, held in place by the tether between players. Drawing on the free jazz double bass ensembles of Ornette Coleman and Andrew Hill alongside influences as wide as Anthony Braxton, Deerhoof and Japanese punk band October Beaver, the eight-track collection arrives on limited edition vinyl and all digital platforms on June 26.
Listen to ‘Face the Wall’ now on the platform of your choice. Link in bio.
Artwork: @trentrivas_
#AldenHellmuth #Tether #LEITER #leiterverlag #LTR062
We’re thrilled to welcome New York-based saxophonist and composer Alden Hellmuth to the LEITER family — and to share that her stunning new album ‘Tether’ arrives on June 26, with a first single ‘Face the Wall’ out today.
Following her German Jazz Prize-winning 2024 debut ‘Good Intentions’, Hellmuth returns with an eight-track exploration of jazz, punk and freeform improvisation. Conceived during her time at the Herbie Hancock Institute at UCLA — where she has been mentored by Ambrose Akinmusire, Walter Smith III and Hancock himself — ‘Tether’ centres on a simple, defining idea: no matter how far a band stretches into improvisation, something always ties the players back to each other and to the listener.
For the record, Hellmuth assembled a thunderous quartet: bassists Logan Kane and Miller Wrenn panned hard left and right, with drumming powerhouse Justin Brown (Thundercat, Aja Monet) holding the centre. The result is bright, nimble, and unmistakably her own — a record shaped as much by listening as by playing.
‘Tether’ will be released on limited edition vinyl and all digital platforms. Pre-order and listen to ‘Face the Wall’ via the link in our bio.
#AldenHellmuth #Tether #LEITER #leiterverlag #LTR062
I always forget to snap pics (thank you @omarijazz for this first one), but feeling superrr grateful after a short run of shows through the pacific north west (and a reunion with my fav Los Angeles improvisers and a return to Portland to play with some new friends at the 1905). Thank you @jazzstationeugene@goodbyelookclub and @realisticmoment for hosting such amazing shows - was really so special to share this music with everyone!! Thanks to everyone who came and bought merch (even before the record is out 🥹🫶) and a huuuge thank you to the band 💕 more soon
On my way to Portland to play at @the_1905 tomorrow night (3/14) to headline their festival celebrating women in jazz !! Playing with an absolute all-star line up featuring @simpsonaire@browncharlie3@kenthemaestro@instagrarrett - only a few tix left for the second set! See ya soon 💕
Incredibly grateful to have been selected for this year's @newmusicusa Next Jazz Legacy cohort! So excited for the opportunity to work with two incredibly inspiring artists, Sylvie Courvoisier and Ingrid Laubrock, and an amazing collection of friends/colleagues! 💗
Join us at @maps.goodspace for an night of music featuring @alden.hellmuth Tether, a two-bass quartet and the premiere performance from Menche/Katz/Niekrasz, a trio featuring veteran luminaries of the Portland avant-sound scene.
Tix in the bio! Flier by @cold.sasuke
Alden Hellmuth’s Tether is a two-bass quartet that leans hard into density, motion, and low-end gravity. Built around the distinct voices of Los Angeles bassists @lo.kane.kittens and @millerwrenn , the project explores an array of moods and textures with intensity and unmistakable momentum. The night will also feature @myles_quatroquatro on drums. With her “challenging and evocative” (Jazz Times) compositional vision and a sharp improvisational language, Hellmuth has carefully and creatively crafted a new sonic realm and bold statement of expression. The album will be released June 19th on Leiter Verlag
Menche/Katz/Niekrasz
This first-time trio features veteran luminaries of the Portland avant-sound scene: @danielmenche on electronics+, @maxxxkatz (Yelling Choir, FLOOM) on flute and electronics, and @johnniekrasz (Methods Body, LTD Time) on percussion. Menche/Katz/Niekrasz will offer a blistering trio interpretation of the solo music on the record The Intrinsic Nature of Shipp by legendary New York pianist Matthew Shipp
PNW!! TETHER (formerly known as 8leg) is coming your wayyyy. Doing some really cool shows with some really cool people in some really cool spaces!! Ticket links available in bio - really hope to see you at one of these :)) More announcements about this project VERY soon! 😈
Bass X 2: @lo.kane.kittens & @millerwrenn
Drums: @myles_quatroquatro
➡️➡️➡️ Then continuing the momentum on the west coast with two shows: playing Solarc in LA on 3/11 with the OG NoRealExit quartet ❤️🔥 & then headed back to Portland to play @the_1905 with a really incredible band on Saturday 3/14!! 💞
Artwork by the incredible @trentrivas_
New headshot by @adibop.on.film
