New Album/Hungary: New Days Ahead – The Music of Daniel Hofecker – special guests: Eva Bolba and Stjepko Gut

Posted on February 4, 2023 by JWQ

New Days Ahead – The Music of Daniel Hofecker – special guests: Eva Bolba and Stjepko Gut

The collaboration of the well-established Budapest Jazz Orchestra big band with young lion Daniel Hofecker has yielded a very exquisite result. Daniel is one of the most talented young composers and arrangers of his generation, not to mention that he’d earned his BA as a jazz trumpet player at the Liszt Academy in Budapest, before transferring to the University of Performing Arts in Graz, Austria, where he graduated with a Distinguished MA Diploma in 2022 in jazz composition and arrangement. For this album he collected the pieces that he had penned in the last couple of years, especially the ones that he got a great number of accolades for at international competitions of jazz composition and arrangement (see tracklist for details).

The title of the album is New Day Suite, alluding to his four-movement suite, which depicts a full day from dawn, through daytime, sunset and night. According to Hofecker, the greatest challenge of this composition was how one could depict the different characteristics of changing times and moods of a day by letting a powerful big band blow and hit their instruments. The piece One for Beni is an exercise in style in which Hofecker pays tribute to Bob Brookmeyer, whose composing and arrangement technique he applied here. La Galérie Des Cotelles is a piece inspired by a place in the Versailles castle in France.

It has a historical significance for Hungarians, unfortunately a very tragic one, since the ending of the First World War was sealed by a very unfavorable peace treaty for Hungary. What the composer aimed to do was illustrating the gloomy state of mind that has haunted Hungarians thinking about the peace treaty for over a century. The peace Politics is thematically related as it tries to illustrate the tensions, dilemmas and the unpleasant moments of political debate which no one can be completely exempt from.

One of the most influential teachers of Hofecker during his years in Graz was trumpet legend from Serbia Stjepko Gut -Hofecker says. “It was such a great inspiration for me all the time how he produced the idiosyncratic and inimitable melodies, rhythm, phraseology and swing that he is known for” – says the one-time student. This is behind the track, Mr. S.G. obviously a tribute to his master who himself embellished the piece with a phenomenal after the theme had been put forward by Éva Bolba.

Something like an encore, showcasing Daniel’s arranging skills is a standard, the unforgettable Cheek to Cheek also recorded by the ensemble: it aims at a sound typical of New York’s Village Vanguard big band, blending traditional and modern approaches. To make all good things three, Hofecker’s trumpet playing is also featured on his debut album.

Tracklist: (Including awards and competition prizes)

New Day Suite – I. Dawnin’ Big Band Composition Contest of the Hungarian Jazz Federation, Budapest, First place, 2016
New Day Suite – II. Daytime Helsinki International Big Band Composing Contest, Finalist, 2019
New Day Suite – III. Sunset
New Day Suite – IV. Night
One For Beni Big Band Composition Contest of the Hungarian Jazz Federation, Budapest, First place, 2018; Barga Jazz Festival and Competition (Italy), Finalist, 2022
La Galérie Des Cotelles – Big Band Composition Contest of the Hungarian Jazz Federation, Budapest, 2nd Prize and Best Composition Prize, 2021; Karel Krautgartner’s Composition Contest For a Jazz Orchestra, Prague, 3rd Prize, 2021
Politics Barga Jazz Festival and Competition (Italy), Grand Prize, 2021; Downbeat Magazine’s Student Music Awards, Outstanding Composition Award, 2022
Mr. S.G. Helsinki International Big Band Composing Contest, Finalist, 2021
Cheek To Cheek (I. Berlin)

Online stream: https://bfan.link/new-days-ahead

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2022: Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra(Austria)-Conspiracy

Posted on January 31, 2023 by JWQ

Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra-Conspiracy

Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra(Austria)-Conspiracy

On 9.9.2022 Mons records will release the new album from the German saxophonist Tobias Hoffmann titled “Conspiracy”. Under the motto, things just keep getting bigger, this recording follows his 2019 release
“Retrospective” recorded with a nine piece band and this time features a full big band.

Tobias stated that throughout his journey in music “… there have been two hearts beating in my chest: on the one hand that of the saxophone player and on the other that of the composer and arranger.” When you first listen to this recording it becomes clear that on “Conspiracy” Tobias has been able to merge these two hearts into one.

Speaking of the album Tobias explained “After releasing my CD “Retrospective” with my Nonet in 2019, I felt like taking the next step as a jazz composer and arranger by writing and recording more music for a jazz orchestra.” he went on to say “When at the end of 2020 I started planning this project I was full of doubt. We were in the middle of the second wave of the corona pandemic, half of Europe was in lockdown, concerts and jobs had been cancelled and I was really not sure whether it would be the right moment to bring a large jazz ensemble to the studio and record an album of challenging instrumental Big Band music in that period of time. But there was a soft voice telling me that it was worth going for it. Now looking back after writing, organizing, rehearsing and recording the music it feels almost surreal that is poised for release. I am very glad I had listened to that soft voice and recorded the music.”

The album opens with the title track “Conspiracy”. Tobias stated that this was one of his most challenging compositions to date and is inspired by the crazy conspiracy theories that emerged during the pandemic. “I realized how dangerous these can be, not only for the people who believe in them, but for our society as a whole” explained Tobias. The track opens with a rather bombastic tutti passage that certainly grabs your attention before settling done for the main theme. Of note here is the mysterious start to the saxophone solo. „Conspiracy“ was awarded the 3rd prize at the „Bill Conti Big Band Contest 2021“ organized by the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC).

The following track titled “Elegy” is a fully through composed piece
that features the bands horn section in a more orchestral context. The next cab of the rank is titled “3 December Song” and is a medium swing composition featuring Alto saxophonist Andy Schofield. Tobias explained that this piece was inspired by the music of Vince Mendoza, “When writing this composition, I started with the figure of the piano at the beginning of the piece, which immediately reminded me of some of Mendoza’s compositions. So I tried to loosely capture the feeling and flow of his music.”

“Awakening” is a composition about change. Tobias wrote this piece at time when he was experiencing change in his life. while he admitted he was struggling with this he also came to realization that change also brings opportunity. This somewhat melancholy composition features a wonderful solo by Jakob Helling on Flugelhorn that transitions to a more optimistic contrasting section of the arrangement.

The next track titled “Relentless” is a composition based on a twelve- tone row, a composition technique that was first made popular by the Austrian-American composer Arnold Schoenberg in the early 20th century. When speaking about this composition Tobias said “The composition is a mixture of different sections which are contrasting each other. It was an interesting process to learn as a composer how long one should stick to self-imposed rules and limitations and when to rid yourself of them and follow your inner voice.” It should be noted that this composition was awarded the first prize in the “Original Composition – Large Ensemble” category at the 2022 “45th annual Downbeat Student Music Awards”.

Featuring Jonas Brinckmann (Baritone Saxophone) and Kasperi Sarikoski (Trombone), the next track titled “Trailblazers” is a minor blues couched as a jazz waltz. “As a saxophone player I have always enjoyed playing these high-energy Big Band charts from the rich history of Big Band music and that’s why I wanted to write one for my own band as well.” stated Tobias. Both Brinckmann and Sarikoski deliver great solos here on Baritone Sax and Trombone respectively you will also find a highly interesting solo special for the entire Trombone section.

“Renegade” is a composition based on a 2 bar motif in 9/4 and features Simon Plötzeneder on trumpet. This composition is inspired by the American jazz composer Darcy James Argue and his “Secret Society” ensemble. For this piece Tobias experimented with incomplete chords and voicings to provide a modern and contemporary harmonic sound. Tobias said of this piece “I wrote this composition in a period when I was struggling to find my place in life and so I tried to capture the feeling of uncertainty in the composition.”

As you will read in the albums liner notes, many of the compositions on this album were inspired by psychology and psychological phenomena and the following track “Impostor Syndrome” follows in this vein. The Impostor Syndrome is a psychological term that describes a pattern of thinking in which human beings doubt their skills, talents, or accomplishments and are afraid of being exposed as a fraud. This odd- meter composition features two main soloists, Martin Harms (Tenor Saxophone) and Robert Bachner (Euphonium). Of note here is the unaccompanied piano cadenza by pianist Philipp Nykrin that climaxes into a full band tutti section to round off the track.

Serving as an intro to the final track on the album is “Who Knows Intro” and is a feature for the bands trombone section. Tobias explained “I truly love the sound of the trombone. Unfortunately, trombones sometimes live an inconspicuous life in a Big Band. So I wanted to give them the space to fully shine as a section.” The final track on the album is a departure from the rest of the compositions on the album and features a rock feel with featuring a great solo performed by guitarist Vilkka Wahl. This track just builds throughout culminating in a fitting climax to close out the album.

This recording shows Tobias Hoffmann firmly in control of his composer heart. The band is amazing with each section blending together in such a way that only more established bands sound. This recording certainly makes a statement and that is “The Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra is here and can’t be ignored.“
“Conspiracy” by the Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra will be available on CD and all digital platforms via Mons Records.
Andrew Read

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JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2022

World Music Mix: Giorgio Panico(Italy)-Album: I Ching (Dodicilune Records, 2022)

Posted on January 27, 2023 by JWQ

Giorgio Panico(Italy)-Album: I Ching (Dodicilune Records, 2022)

This album is based on the homonymous ancient Chinese divination text. The tracks were composed by elaborating the underlying philosophical and mathematical concepts. The musical choices were confirmed by consulting the oracle itself.

“The method of the I Ching does indeed take into account the hidden individual quality in things and men, and in one’s own unconscious self as well.” (C. G. Jung – Zurich, 1949)

Tracks
1. Ch’ien the creative, heaven 2. Sun the gentle, wind, wood 3. K’an the abysmal, water 4. Li the clinging, fire 5. Tui the joyous, lake 6. The effect of signs on building character 7. K’un the receptive, earth 8. The inner world arrangement 9. The primal arrangement 10. Chên the arousing, thunder 11. Kên keeping still, mountain 12. Cultural history

Musicians
Giorgio Panico: bass, pipa Carlo Cantini: violin Luca Maria Burocchi: guitar, banjo Emanuele Pellegrini: drums, percussions Music by Giorgio Panico

Produced by Giorgio Panico and Maurizio Bizzochetti, Gabriele Rampino, Dodicilune Label manager Maurizio Bizzochetti (www.dodicilune.it)

Recorded March, May 2021 at Studio Teclas, Perugia, Italy Sound engineers Luca Maria Burocchi, Daniele Marinelli Mixed and mastered September 2021, January 2022 at Studio Teclas, Perugia, Italy Sound engineer Luca Maria Burocchi Cover artwork by Anna Gebbia Photos by Anna Gebbia, Leonardo Corgna

Website CD Store

World Music Mix

World Music Mix: Shugorei(Australia)-Meet The Sun (feat. Shêm Allen)

Posted on January 25, 2023 by JWQ

Shugorei(Australia)-Meet The Sun (feat. Shêm Allen)
4000 Records (2023)

Meet The Sun’ features local vocalist Shêm Allen, who has performed with Nonsemble, Skinny Jean and Yr Familiar. Their distinct, unguarded and unaffected tone is reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, and on this track he lends Shugorei an entrancing, expressive depth.

After playing a show together in early December, Shêm and Shugorei mutually approached each other to collaborate and within a fortnight they were in the studio recording this track.

‘Meet The Sun’ celebrates the risks artists take to pursue their dreams. Like many Shugorei songs, the message is delivered bilingually (here, in English and Japanese). It is also embellished by a lush string arrangement, performed by members of Black Square Quartet.

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JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2022: Marco Trabucco(Italy) Album: X [ics]

Posted on January 22, 2023 by JWQ

Giulio Scaramella – Piano
Marco Trabucco – Doublebass / Compositions
Luca Colussi – Drums
Maddalena Calamai – Flute
Costanza Pennucci – Horn
Emanuele Andreatta – Violin
Alessandro Dalla Libera – Viola
Federico Motta – Cello

CREDITS
Mixed and mastered by Stefano Amerio at Artesuono Studio, Cavalicco (UD), produced by Marco Trabucco for Abeat records.

X [ics] is the new album by doublebass player Marco Trabucco.

Innovator in his area, Marco Trabucco embraces experimenting with contemporary music’s new sounds.
His latest album, “X [ics]”, is a demonstration of his commitment to pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz and breaking away from the homogeneity that has become prevalent in recent years.

The title of the album, which references the ten performers featured on the album as well as the unique blend of classical chamber music and jazz, serves as a fitting representation of Trabucco’s willingness to challenge conventions and explore the unknown. The new album is a must-listen for aficionados of forward-thinking jazz, as it showcases Trabucco’s ability to seamlessly integrate disparate styles, and his openness to new musical stimuli.

Indeed, the structure of the band combines a classical ensemble (flute, horn, piano and strings, joined by marimba and balafon) with the typical jazz quartet.
The album showcases several nods to jazz greats, such as Chick Corea’s “Temple of Isfahan” on the opening track “One for Max”, and the beginning of the theme of Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” which is reworked as an evocative variation on the last track “Otranto”.

Think, for example, of Schoenberg’s chamber music for strings, where intervallic tensions from the classical music are sometimes used to achieve the desired timbral and harmonic results. As far as orchestration choices are concerned, the solutions adopted propose sound refractions aimed at broadening the harmonic spectrum of the thematic cells used. From the perspective of a jazz musician like Trabucco, there is a seamless succession of traditional elements, sounds from the classical zone, and areas of improvisational themes that combine into a potential infinite.

TRACK LIST

One for Max exp
Open space exp
Untitled exp
Meraki exp
Otranto exp

videoclip “Open space”

Marco Trabucco Bio

Double bass and electric bass player gifted with a delicate and melodic touch, Marco Trabucco is graduated in first cycle degree in Jazz at Tartini Conservatoire (TS), MA Degree in Jazz at the Steffani Conservatoire in Castelfranco (TV), MA Degree in instrument teaching and at the same time he graduated at Ca’ Foscari (University Institute – Venice), in Artistic and Entertainment Techniques.

He deepened his studies by attending high-level masterclasses and seminars such as:
– “Development of the rhythmic sense” (Bjorn Meyer – 2010);
– “Masterclass of percussion instruments” (Jarrod Cagwin – 2010);
– “Techniques and strategies for a complex rhythmic control” (Jarrod Cagwin – 2011);
– “Jazz piano masterclass” (Keith Tippett – 2010);– “Advanced improvisation masterclass” (Stefano Battaglia, Salvatore Maiore, Roberto Dani – 2017)

And he has participated in numerous lectures by internationally renowned musicians (Klaus Gesing, Norma Winstone, Giovanni Maier, Paolino Dalla Porta, Stefano Battaglia, Roberto Dani, Curtis Lunday, Dennis Chambers, Salvatore Maiore, etc.).

In 2010 he won the first prize in the jazz section at the international competition “Young Musicians” and staryed with his brother Max the project “Trabucco Bros” which will see them produce the first album entitled “Open / Close” (Blue Serge Records). and a second publication for Caligola Records: “Orchestra”. In 2012 he won the “Blow in to the nightfly” jazz contest in Lignano Sabbiadoro recording for “Ultra Sound Records” the album “Ma.Mi.Ma. Quartet” which allows him to open the concert to the English band Incognito. In 2013 he was selected for the “Berklee Award Group” (ensemble composed by the best students selected for the Berklee / Umbria Jazz courses) and signed a new recording contract with “Abeat Records” that will allow him to publish the album “Making Friends” with the special participation of Klaus Gesing on soprano sax and bass clarinet. In 2015 he published “Oirquartett” with which he won the prize for “best first album” in the National competition “Chicco Bettinardi” of Piacenza. Later, thanks to Stefano Amerio he was recommended to record with the Oirquintet project at “La fabrique studio” (FR) with the legendary AL Schmitt as sound engineer (Michel Jakson, Sinatra, Diana Krall …) giving to the press “…E penso a te” , jazz album dedicated to Italian song. In 2016 he is selected by Veneto Jazz as ” young Jazz Italian talent” to open the concert by Stefano Bollani and publishes the first album as a leader entitled “A Long Trip / With You” obtaining excellent reviews. In 2019 he published “Meraki”, his second personal work produced by Stefano Amerio for Artesuono.
The biography of Marco Trabucco is part of the book by Flavio Caprera: “Dictionary of Italian jazz” published by Feltrinelli.

EDUCATION
• Second-cycle degree in JAZZ (equivalent to master) Conservatory of music Steffani of Castelfranco Veneto (Italy)
• Second-cycle degree in MUSIC IN EDUCATION (equivalent to master) Conservatory of music Steffani of Castelfranco Veneto (Italy)
• First-cycle degree in JAZZ (equivalent to bachelor) Conservatoriy of music Giuseppe Tartini of Trieste
• First-cycle degree in Artistic and Entertainment Techniques (equivalent to bachelor) Ca’ Foscari University of Venezia (Italy)
AWARDS:
• First prize in the jazz section at the international competition “young musicians”. First prize at the “Blow in to the nightfly” jazz contest
• First prize in the “best first jazz album” section in the National competition “Chicco Bettinardi” with the album “Oirquartett”
• Berklee Umbria Jazz Award
The biography of Marco Trabucco is part of the book by Flavio Caprera: “Dictionary of Italian jazz” published by Feltrinelli.

http://marcotrabucco.com/
https://www.instagram.com/marcotrabucco_bass/
https://www.facebook.com/marcotrabuccomusic
https://www.youtube.com/@TheTrambust

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2022

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023: Florin Raducanu (Romania)- Fugue Fantasia for Piano

Posted on January 20, 2023 by JWQ

Florin-Raducanu-Classical-Jazz-Fantasia-for-Piano

Florin Raducanu (Romania)- Fugue Fantasia for Piano

Classical-Jazz Fugue Fanstasia #2” is the second Piano Fugue addressed to both classical and jazz pianists.
In any case, the elements of Bachian Instrumental Counterpoint, jazz harmony, or compositional techniques from the developmental work serve as educational elements that show how jazz and classical music share an improvisational language (present in both Bach and Gershwin).

Like the previous “Jazz Fugue #1”, the new “Fuga Fantasia #2” follows the aesthetic path started by George Gershwin, very correctly understood by Maurice Ravel (see Sonata in G for violin and piano), Leonard Bernstein or John Williams in the creation of classical-jazz symbiosis.

Florin Raducanu website Purchase musical score

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023: Jean-Michel Pilc(France)-Album: Symphony (Justin Time Records)

Posted on January 20, 2023 by JWQ

Jean-Michel Pilc
Nouvel album Symphony
Sortie le 17/02/2023 chez Justin Time Records

Le pianiste de jazz Jean-Michel Pilc est de retour avec son nouvel album Symphony qui sort le 17/02/2023 sur le label canadien Justin Time Records. Ce disque est né d’une séance d’improvisation en solo en 2021 au studio OJM au Portugal. Ce jour-là, sur un piano Steinway, Jean-Michel Pilc se laisse porter et emporter par un flux créatif, comme un voyage qui le fait quitter de son propre aveu le monde réel, et qu’il nous fait partager aujourd’hui.
“Il n’y a peut-être pas de pianiste de jazz plus diversifié et imprévisible, d’une chanson à l’autre, que Jean-Michel Pilc” a déclaré Thomas Conrad de JazzTimes.

Célébré depuis déjà de nombreuses années pour la qualité de ses improvisations, le pianiste et compositeur Jean-Michel Pilc s’est produit avec de nombreux géants du jazz. Né à Paris et aujourd’hui citoyen américain, il a joué avec de nombreux géants du jazz tels que Roy Haynes, Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman, Jean Toussaint, Marcus Miller, ou John Abercrombie pour n’en citer que quelques-uns. On découvre aujourd’hui un extrait de l’album Symphony avec cette vidéo live enregistrée à Montréal au Crescent.

Pour regarder la vidéo de Symphony :https://youtu.be/djk4fjCqj-k

This is one of two short excerpts from the The Crescent Inc. – a Montreal based concert live-streaming and content production company catering to artists and musicians. Full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5h5W… “There may be no more diverse, unpredictable jazz piano player, song to song, than Jean-Michel Pilc.” – Thomas Conrad, JazzTimes Born in 1960 in Paris, now an American citizen, self-taught pianist and composer Jean-Michel Pilc has performed with numerous jazz giants such as Roy Haynes, Michael Brecker and Dave Liebman to name a few.

“Jean-Michel Pilc travaille sans filet. Pianiste-compositeur prolifique et improvisateur étonnant, il excelle par sa constante créativité et nous offre des spectacles en solo à couper le souffle” DownBeat Né à Paris, Jean-Michel Pilc a un talent qui est le fruit d’une grande imagination et d’une sensibilité intrépide dans la découverte musicale. Autodidacte, il joue avec liberté et clarté dans la palette sonore et harmonique. Riche d’une nombreuse discographie solo, Jean-Michel Pilc a également joué avec de nombreux musiciens comme Richard Bona, Aldo Romano, Martial Solal, André Ceccarelli et bien d’autres.

Dans son dernier album Symphony, Jean-Michel Pilc met en avant cette liberté et cette témérité. La naissance du projet remonte à novembre 2021 : “Juste après l’enregistrement de l’album Contradictio du saxophoniste espagnol Xose Miguelez, j’ai été inspiré par les conditions parfaites des studios OJM au Portugal – un magnifique Steinway, une acoustique et des paramètres techniques parfaits. J’ai alors décidé qu’il était temps de faire une session « mémorable » dans le cadre de mon projet solo. Alors Xose et José Trincado, notre ingénieur du son, ont eu la gentillesse de me laisser jouer et improviser librement sur ce piano et de tout enregistrer. Uniquement porté par la musique, j’ai alors commencé. Lorsque l’inspiration s’installe, vous quittez le « monde réel » et la musique vous entraîne dans un nouvel univers totalement unique. C’est exactement ce qui est arrivé, et la dernière note jouée, tout le monde était si enthousiaste qu’ils ont généreusement proposé de le mixer et de le remastériser avec soin pour une sortie ultérieure, qui selon eux, était inévitable.“

Improvisateur surdoué, Jean-Michel Pilc a travaillé avec Harry Belafonte en tant que directeur musical et pianiste et a interprété un duo avec la légendaire chanteuse d’opéra Jessye Norman. Interprète solo actif sur la scène internationale, Jean-Michel a sorti quatre disques de piano solo acclamés par la critique. Il se produit régulièrement en trio avec des ensembles montréalais et new-yorkais dans les meilleures salles des deux villes L’album Symphony, né de cette séance miraculeuse d’improvisation en solo sort le sur le label Justin Time Records.

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JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023: The Steve Fidyk Live Wire Broad Band (USA)- Album: Red Beats

Posted on January 20, 2023 by JWQ

The Steve Fidyk Live Wire Broad Band-Red Beats

The Steve Fidyk Live Wire Broad Band (USA)- Album: Red Beats

Integrating rhythmic power with musical taste, drummer Steve Fidyk returns to his big band roots, distinctly showcasing his dominant performance skills on this unique collection of original music.

His fourth date as a leader features an all-star band of musicians who hail from the ranks of The Buddy Rich Big Band, The Count Basie Orchestra, The Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, Maynard Ferguson’s Big Bop Nouveau, The Army Blues, The Navy Commodores, and The Airmen of Note.

Featured soloists include some of New York’s finest — guitar legend Jack Wilkins, tenor saxophone titan Walt Weiskopf and contemporary organist Brian Charette. Each soloist is an engaged participant that pushes Fidyk’s polyrhythmic message direct to the battleground.

Release Date:
February 20, 2023

Blue Canteen Music CD Store

JazzWorldQuest Showcase 2023

World Music Mix: Clint Bahr(USA) – Puzzlebox (Moonjune Records, 2022)

Posted on January 16, 2023 by JWQ

Inextricably linked to the label, the 2003 self-titled debut of Clint Barr‘s seminal NYC-based power trio, Tripod, was MoonJune Record’s fourth release. Harkening back to the same “reaching beyond” mentality which defined the work, Puzzlebox – bassist / vocalist / composer / multi-instrumentalist Barr’s long-awaited epic – is a fitting way to document this most special of occasions: seeing both artist and label going full circle, and in grandiose style!

Delightfully blurring both stylistic and structural approaches, the tight-knit unit Barr has assembled proves as unpredictable as they are adept, articulate and convicted. Described as “a genre-defying global collaboration of artists; a cross-pollination of diverse instruments and talents,” Puzzlebox recalls prog in its early heydays: when albums as uninhibited and offscript as King Crimson’s Lizard and Beefheart’s Trout Mask Replica were celebrated, and the Canterbury renaissance was in full swing. Brilliantly arranged and produced, Clint Barr has delivered a multi-faceted, timeless epic … at such a time as this.

CLINT BAHR’s PUZZLEBOX’s release culminates a 20-year relationship between Clint Bahr and Leonardo Pavkovic, as TriPod’s eponymous CD was the fourth album released on MoonJune Records in 2003.

PUZZLEBOX is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Clint Bahr (former member of TriPod, Andromeda & Flash).

PUZZLEBOX is a rock band, a multidimensional “Tabula Rasa” in both compositional and improvisational formats.

PUZZLEBOX is a genre-defying global collaboration of artists, a cross-pollination of diverse instruments and talents.

Featuring:
Clint Bahr – basses & vocals (TriPod)
Peter Banks – guitar (Yes)
Colin Carter – vocals (Flash)
Marilyn Crispell – piano (Pharoah Sanders, Anthony Braxton)
David Cross- violins (King Crimson)
Stephanie Feyne – dialogue (The Dotes)
Billy Ficca – drums (Television)
Dick Griffin – trombone (Sun Ra, Roland Kirk)
Mike Hough – drums (Flash)
David Jackson – woodwinds (Van der Graaf Generator)
Dan Parkington – sitar & violin (Andromeda)
Jeff Schiller – woodwinds (The Roots)

www.puzzlebox.band

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