Rabble Without a Cause, December 25: the Bernard Stepien Orchestra plays Christmas Carols

We will hear the entire performance of a Very Ayler Christmas as arranged and played by the late host of Rabble, and tenor sax player, Bernard Stepien

Bernard Stepien was a professor at the University of Ottawa, and also an active participant in the Ottawa jazz scene, as well as being a host on Rabble Without a Cause from the 1980s until 2020. He passed away in 2021. He started an annual tradition in 2006 - annual performances in Ottawa and later Montreal and Toronto , featuring a mixture of Albert Ayler and Christmas carols.

In 2010, he recorded an album of this music with the following musicians:

• Bernard Stepien: Tenor saxophone

• David Broscoe: Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone

• Linsey Wellman: Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet

• Philippe Charbonneau: Bass

• Mark Molnar: Cello

• Scott Warren: Drums, Loops

• Jennifer Giles: Keyboards

• Anna Williams: Voice

Here’s a clip of the group playing live in 2013.

The tradition has continued in Ottawa, with the annual Aylermas performed by the Improvising and Experimental Musicians of Ottawa and Outwards (IMOO).

On this show we will hear the entire album. Here’s Bernard Stepien playing a solo version of “Oh Christmas Tree/Ghosts”.

You can listen to the show live in Ottawa at 93.1 on the FM dial or through online streaming on CKCUFM.com. I have also made the show available on demand for listening as of December 23 - if you want to get an early start on Aylermas.