Bob Ostertag - When Is Improvised Music Good?

If it's true that there are "no mistakes" in free improvisation, then how can you judge whether an improvisation is good or bad? This question was asked of all the musicians filmed for Steve Elkins' feature documentary THE REACH OF RESONANCE, most of whom were master improvisors. Everyone had a very different answer. This one by Bob Ostertag remains among the most memorable.
To stream THE REACH OF RESONANCE: vimeo.com/ondemand/resonance
For a deeper dive behind the scenes: www.steveelkins.net/Cinema/Th...

[@deerobinson557]

This might seem like a strange question, but did you live in Colorado for awhile in the 70's. One of my good friends growing up was Ken Lark who was a drummer, and I was a trombone player in this group of kids called Sing Out Loveland. You have the same name as the guitar player who had pretty long hair at that time. I'm sure you probably wouldn't remember me, but you might remember Ken.

[@stelkins]

Thanks for reaching out Dee. Bob says he does in fact remember you, and would appreciate it if you got in touch with him directly. You can reach him on Facebook or bobostertag.com. Let me know if I can help any further.