In 1991 bassist Kent Kessler started an informal jazz trio with percussionist Michael Zerang and guitarist Chris DeChiara. The group thought the addition of a horn player might bring greater depth to their sound, so they rang up a young saxophonist named Ken Vandermark. “It looked like he had been at home writing for the last two years, he had such a huge stack of tunes,” says Kessler, chuckling. “So I said to Michael, ‘Let’s name the group after him and let him book all of the gigs.’” The Vandermark Quartet became a turning point in the saxist’s career, launching him to future prominence. But for the bassist it was just business as usual.
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
“I don’t have grand ambitions,” says Kessler, who turns 46 this week. “I love to play and I love the way the instrument sounds, but it’s not like I have an overriding musical vision.”
Around that time a PBS show on the Montreux Jazz Festival gave Kessler his first real taste of jazz and fired his imagination. In his sophomore year at Senn High School he met another fledgling jazz fan, a guitarist named Dan Scanlan. Together they’d drop acid, listen to electric Miles, and jam. But their good times were short-lived. Halfway through Kessler’s junior year his poor attendance got him kicked out
But Vandermark has been Kessler’s main collaborator. They’ve played together in Steam, the DKV Trio, Steelwool, Territory Band, FJF, and the Vandermark 5, among others. The saxophonist also occupied Russell’s chair during an NRG performance at a memorial for the ensemble’s leader; it was meant to be a one-off, but the group had such a blast they decided to keep things going, making three albums.
