Farrell Lowe & Associates

SeFa means “delight” in Turkish. LoCo means “mad” in Spanish. “SeFa LoCo” also combines the opening letters of the names of this group’s members. A free improvisation supergroup from the Rocky Mountain region, this quartet links the talents of accomplished musicians from Colorado and Wyoming. Percussionist extraordinaire Ron Coulter formed the band in 2021, Since then they’ve been prolific, releasing seven albums on RBR, many of which feature guest musicians that bring unique talents and perspectives. Click a title to hear it, and scroll down for more detail.

SeFa LoCo’s initial album, Creosote—reviewed here in All About Jazz—flowed from a spectacular freely-improvised recording session that was part of the Creative Music Series in Casper, in early 2021. It was the first meeting of these players. It is a study of the darker, dirtier side of jazz. Long improvised passages explore dissonance, coarse textures, shadowy melodic contrasts and meditative headspaces. The quartet’s virtuosity and fluid chemistry drive a sense of fearless adventure throughout.

SeFa LoCo’s recent releases have featured special guests as 5th members. Entanglements and Occurrency emerged from a recording session with trumpet master Hugh Ragin. Dance & Decay features woodwind virtuoso Vinny Golia, who was named one of the most influential musicians in jazz history by Jazziz Magazine. These albums’ extended tracks organically fuse sounds of multiple generations in epic fashion. Esoteria features soprano saxophonist extraordinaire Sam Newsome, and Soundpainting creator Walter Thompson (see Summit Quartet) joins the quartet on What Can We Say?. Avant-garde violinist Aimee Niemann joins the foursome for 2024’s Stare.

Michael O’Neill, Colin Bricker and Farrell Lowe

“Linked through blues telepathy, SeFa LoCo’s members have summoned the damp interiors of half-finished infrastructures, creaking doors left ajar, entries forgotten on sites of mutilated demolition… Contrasts like these make the group’s ravaging clamor all the sharper, their early-morning quiet all the dimmer. ”

— Ian Gwin, All About Jazz

Meet SeFa LoCo:

Farrell Lowe is a guitarist and multi-faceted artist. His work spans jazz, experimental, world fusion and free improvisation, and stylistic versatility places him among leading innovators of his instrument over nearly four decades. He’s released over 30 recordings, plus many others with collaborators. He continues to challenge limits and publish music that defies categorization. He’s also an accomplished stoneworker, painter, woodworker, and instrument maker. Farrell is featured in Episode 12 of the Right Brain Music Podcast and in Episode 28, which focuses on the Denver-Boulder creative music scene. He also contributed to the compilation album Guitar Improv Summit, Vol. 2, with The Low Mids.

“These artists know exactly when and when not to play in service of the greater good, and the results are not just delightful, but also reveal greater depths upon repeated listens. Group dynamics, textures, and play are a huge part of this album. Highly recommended listening.”

— Matt Benham