Maude Caillat is a prolific saxophonist leading four different projects all around the New Orleans area. The Maude Caillat Quartet is the most intimate version of her vast musical universe. Still recognized as an emerging new sound in the New Orleans jazz scene, the Quartet fuses in modern and traditional African & Arabic influences with a perfect amount of a Coltrane-esque thang. Sophistication, passionate improvisation, and heartfelt melodies are just a few words to describe the music of these inspired artists. Her quartet put out a release mid 2023, ‘Follow the Camel’, which is a completely free improvised sonic journey. The album features Maude Caillat on tenor sax & flute, Luke Palmer on keys & fingerboard, Sean Weber on bass and Moses Eder on drums and percussions. ‘Follow The Camel’ was recorded at Fountain Sound Studio in New Orleans by Biff Hitchins, mixed and mastered by Ratty Scurvics with original artwork by Dominic Sgro from Catahoula Tattoo. Produced and independantly released by the Maude Caillat Quartet.
I had the pleasure of getting to know Maude a little better in a recent call. Listening to her music, especially the quartet’s album ‘Follow The Camel’ has really set me off in a new, unknown direction. Seemed completely possible that a live event with her and a band would be an adventure of sonic discovery. We talked about her upcoming stop in Madison on July 6th at the North Street Cabaret and am definitely convinced that what is coming our way (and hopefully wherever you are, your way too) is going to be that of a new place/space creation. The way Maude describes how she got into the “Free Jazz scene’ in New Orleans and how it was just so much fun not following any set guidelines and truly letting the feeling…the music, guide. We find out the quartet coming our way is a little diffrent when it comes to who is playing, and how by the end of the tour, the aim is to create a new record based on the meetings/feelings/explorations of this tour. Listen in to find out how friend of the proGram Mike Dillon fits into Maude’s planning and I believe we learn just how freeing an improvised sharing for players and audience can be a place to build of a fresh new vision.
