Yesterday, the big news was that Kraftwerk co-founder Florian Schneider was leaving the band. His departure announcement overshadowed that of another — Reed Mathis (pictured), founding member of Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, who's leaving his post as bassist of JFJO to explore new horizons of improvisation.

From the JFJO website:

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey is very pleased to announce the band's 2009 lineup. The odyssey continues with Brian Haas on keys, Josh Raymer on drums, and proudly introducing Chris Combs on guitar & lap steel and Matt Hayes on bass. A supplemented version of this lineup made its debut on New Year's Eve to an elated sold out crowd in Tulsa Oklahoma.

The core quartet lineup of Haas/Raymer/Combs/Hayes will make its debut this coming Saturday, January 10th @ Kenny's Castaways as part of the 2009 NYC Winter Jazz Fest!