OTS SFO #020 with Levi Gillis

With several past episodes recorded from Seattle, we return to a previously unreleased conversation (2018) with saxophonist, improviser, and band leader, Levi Gillis. Originally from Northern California, you could now find Gillis based in Los Angeles after having continued on his developmental journey from the University of Washington Jazz and Improvisation program, chaired by Cuong Vu (episode #007, Cuong Vu 4-Tet, Pat Metheny Group), to the CalArts MFA School of Music program. We begin our discussion in 2018, but conclude during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. It is a study in contrast, or lack thereof, considering escalating social justice, economic disparity, and political divisiveness. However, we are not here to reflect solely on the state of our society, but rather to celebrate Levi’s avant jazz/post rock outfit Hunter Gather. Their Table and Chairs Records release, ‘Getting to Know You’, is a lush and up close and personal journey into delicate improvisation. Evoking minimalism, americana, baroque, and vivid cinematic indie rock, this recording has won great praise. Furthermore, we explore Gillis’ collaboration with former Seattle cohorts, Mike Gebhart (drums), Carmen Rothwell (Bass), and Ray Larsen (Trumpet), as the Sky is a Suitcase. As a side note, Larsen has a well-received 2020 release on Slow & Steady Records (based in the SF Bay Area founded by Steven Lugerner and Ross Eustis), entitled ’Songs to fill the air’. The quartet’s open approach marks a key moment in Seattle’s avant-garde, improvisatory community. Finally, we return to 2020 as we learn the balance of being a long-distance member of the active Funk, Soul, and Classic R&B inspired large ensemble, The Dip. Levi has been a longtime contributor to this (typically) touring favorite. The Dip released a new EP of instrumental tracks in late 2020. Levi Gillis shares his experience as openly as his thoughtful and contemplative improvisation comes across in his playing. NOTE: Please excuse some of the microphone noise in the first part of the episode. Tracks featured throughout Episode #020:

• I Want To Be an American - Hunter Gather - Getting to Know You
• I Want To Be an American - Hunter Gather - Getting to Know You
• Let Me Roll My Eyes - Hunter Gather - Getting to Know You
• Getting to Know You - Hunter Gather - Getting to Know You
• Swirlworld - The Sky is A Suitcase - Rain Rhythm
• plearn - The Sky is A Suitcase - Rain Rhythm
• Citrine - The Sky is A Suitcase - Rain Rhythm
• Within - Negative Press Project - SoFar Live, Vancouver, B.C.
• Ready To Go - The Dip
• Don’t Make Me Wait - The Dip
• Won’t Be Coming Back - The Dip - Won’t Be Coming Back EP
• Atlas - The Dip - The Dip Delivers
• Pay No Mind - Hunter Gather - Getting to Know You
• Believe You Me - Hunter Gather - Getting to Know You
• The Expatriot - Hunter Gather - Getting to Know You
• Spiderweb- The Dip - The Dip Delivers

More Information: http://levigillis.com https://huntergatherband.bandcamp.com/releases https://theskyisasuitcase1.bandcamp.com https://thedip.bandcamp.com/album/the-dip-plays-it-cool