“MOTIF,” a new collaboration with Tyler Wagler (double bass), and myself, Doug Wicken (flute), recently recorded new material during two private sessions at The Jazz Room, in Waterloo. It was intended as a trial of free-form playing and minimalist structures based upon motifs (thus the name). The sessions proved more successful than we imagined. “First Light,” a totally free-form composition, is a sample of our collaboration. Hopefully an album will result. Sound Engineer, Jeremy Bernard, looked after the superb recording and mixing.

The following “Audio Selfie” was recorded at home during the COVID lockdown. Lonely Woman, a composition by Ornette Coleman, was one of the earlier representations of free jazz. I offer it here as an homage to bassist, Charlie Haden, who, in addition to being part of Coleman’s original band and recording, also performed and recorded this tune on numerous occasions with his own ensembles. On this version, I play both double bass and flute. I suspect that the spirit of Eric Dolphy might have been hovering in my head space while recording.

The Bernie Carroll Project (BCP) (February, 2016) recorded live at The Jazz Room in Waterloo, Ontario: Dave Wiffen (tenor sax); Dave Thompson (guitar); Ralph Hetke (piano); Doug Wicken (bass); Bernie Carroll (drums). Hookers of Prince Edward County is an original composition by Doug Wicken.

The Bernie Carroll Project (BCP) (June, 2018) recorded live at The Jazz Room in Waterloo, Ontario. Doug Wicken (flute); Dave Wiffen (tenor sax); Ralph Hetke (piano); Al Richardson (bass); Bernie Carroll (drums).

The Bernie Carroll Project (BCP) (February, 2017) recorded live at The Registry Theatre in Kitchener, Ontario. Doug Wicken (flute); Dave Wiffen (tenor sax); Ralph Hetke (piano); Al Richardson (bass); Bernie Carroll (drums).

The John Tank Quartet (1981), recorded live at The Kress Hotel (Cambridge, ON). John Tank (tenor sax); Barry Wills (piano); Doug Wicken (bass); Dave Lewis (drums).

Videos of The Bernie Carroll Project (BCP) (February, 2017) recorded live at The Registry Theatre in Kitchener, Ontario. Doug Wicken (flute); Dave Wiffen (tenor sax); Ralph Hetke (piano); Al Richardson (bass); Bernie Carroll (drums).