BLACK HAT
Contact: Frankie the K
248-410-0525
ac2668@wayne.edu
MUSICAL GROUP BLACK HAT RELEASES 2ND ALBUM; TITLED, HOORAY FOR LOVE
BLACK HAT, is a band founded by Wayne State University professors Frankie the K (Frank Koscielski) and Caroline Maun in 2008 and centered in Clinton Township and Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan. They recently released their second album, Hooray for Love.
Lead vocalist and keyboard player Frankie the K is a longtime member of the Detroit music community. He originally played guitar and keyboards for Badge, among many others and in addition to BLACK HAT he fronts the rock/blues-inspired group big SHORTY and the eclectic Dr. Bop! He studies jazz piano with Detroit Music Award winner Scott Gwinnell. Vocalist Maun is an acclaimed poet with three books and numerous publications. Together they have written a clutch of spirited, enchanting songs which follow an arc of compassion, joy, and not a little lunacy.
BLACK HAT’s second album Hooray for Love features the duo amid a wide array of accomplished Detroit musicians. Jef Reynolds, well-known in the Detroit community for his presence in many area acts as an electric and upright bass player, produced and engineered the album, which was recorded in his studio throughout much of 2012. Bill Hulet plays drums throughout. James O’Donnell, best known for his work with R.J. Spangler’s Planet D Nonet, contributes trumpet to several of the tracks. Ralph Koziarski of The Luddites plays saxophone, flute, and percussion instruments. Dirty Pirate Hookers' founder and lead guitarist Pat Shanley contributed to several songs, and Dale Robertson of the Dale Robertson Band is particularly haunting on harmonica.
The band's sound is a culmination of classic pop, modern jazz and artful sensibility, claiming inspiration from sources as diverse as Leonard Cohen, Leon Russell, Lou Reed, Talking Heads, and Procol Harum. Their music has won fans throughout the Detroit area and beyond. BLACK HAT has appeared at the Cadieux Café, Music Hall Jazz Café, the Scarab Club, the Crazy Wisdom Tea House (Ann Arbor) The Raven (Port Huron) and on the nationally syndicated Mitch Albom Show.
While Frankie and Caroline have been writing songs steadily for the past four years, the special impetus for recording Hooray for Love was Frank’s recovery from a serious motorcycle accident in March of 2012. A life-long rider, Frank survived and fully recovered from his injuries; his helmet probably saved his life. The planning, performing, and recording of this album is a celebration of second chances and near misses. Hooray for Love!
Black Hat, Hooray for Love
Song list:
Alone in the Showroom of the Insane (5:54)
Both Ways (4:55)
Cures and Poisons (5:32)
Love is Gonna Get You (4:50)
Crawlin’ Back to You (2:15)
Fallen (5:06)
It’s All Been Said Before (4:23)
Matthew Said (4:56)
Please Baby Please (4:23)
I Never Knew (2:54)
Beep Beep Beep (3:44)
The Love You Save May Be Your Own (3:25)
Hooray for Love (4:47)
Frankie the K – Keys and vocals
Caroline Maun – Vocals
Jef Reynolds – Bass guitar, producer, engineer
Bill Hulet – Drums
James O’Donnell – Trumpet
Ralph Koziarski – Saxophone, flute, percussion
Dale Robertson – Harmonica
Scott Gwinnell – String arrangements
David Nefesh, KT Lowe – Background vocals
“Black Hat’s Hooray For Love (Detroit Radio Co.) sees two Wayne State University professors coming together and creating weird and wacky, jazz-rock noise. So who says teachers can’t be cool? These guys seem to listen to listen to a lot of Peter Gabriel, Brian Eno, Lou Reed and maybe even the Talking Heads. It’s kinda bleak and suave, but undeniably hip. School never used to be like this.”
Brent Callwood, “City Slang,” Metro Times, November 28, 2012
“At Wayne State, creative collaboration is a way of life. And when two professors decide to
compose songs together, the results are music to Detroit’s ears.”
Alex Bienkovski, “Today at Wayne,” November 16, 2012
“Koscielski’s vocals — which sound like a cross between Leonard Cohen and Mick Jagger —
contrast nicely with Maun’s gentler tones, and they’re placed atop impeccable musicianship.”
K. Michelle Moran, Grosse Pointe Times, November 14, 2012