Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey announces Stay Gold tour

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey (or JFJO or The Fred) has gone from an octet when they began in 1994 to the quartet of Brian Haas on piano, Jeff Harshbarger on upright bass, Chris Combs on lap steel, and Josh Raymer on drums. Often blurring genres, JFJO’s sound is considered a mix of jazz, avant-garde and rock.

JFJO’s fascinating creations culminate in its 20th album, Stay Gold, released June 22 through Kinnara Records on CD and vinyl. To promote the new EP, JFJO has announced a two-month American tour starting in Louisiana and wrapping up in the band’s hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma on New Year’s Eve. The band plans to play the music of Beyonce, Madonna, and Lady GaGa at the event.

Weekly Music News Roundup

Announcements are made for new albums from Irepress, Karl Sanders, Black Moth Super Rainbow, and Staff Benda Bilili — a group of paraplegic Congolese street musicians.

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey releases its new studio album for free; Secret Chiefs 3 announces a concert DVD; Les Claypool announces an outstanding mini festival that will be in a town near you. This and more after the jump.

Weekly Music News Roundup

Amon Tobin makes up half of a new project called Two Fingers; Witch goes on tour with Earthless; Dan Deacon posts a preview of his new album; Converge and Supermachiner each has a new album for ’09; Kronos Quartet is giving away 50 pairs of tickets for its performance in France this month.

Read about these and 11 more news bits in our weekly roundup.

Marco Benevento’s New Album Covers Leonard Cohen, Led Zeppelin, Deerhoof

Jam keyboardist Marco Benevento (Benevento/Russo Duo) is releasing another solo album on February 3, only this time, covers outnumber original material. Benevento’s solo debut, Invisible Baby, was a passionate release from his post-jazz trio, but it certainly didn’t include any renditions of Deerhoof songs.

Weekly Music News Roundup

The Jesus Lizard
The Jesus Lizard

Pummeling mid-tempo rock icons The Jesus Lizard will briefly reunite; idiosyncratic rapper Busdriver performs live with a jazz band tonight; minimalist folk group Phosphorescent has recorded a disc of Willie Nelson covers. Read on.