Ffear -][- MIRAGE – [Jazzheads, 2012] –

Tags

Chris Washburne, contemporary classical music, FFEAR (Forum for Electro-Acoustic Research), Jazzheads.com, Ole Mathisen, Two for The Show

Ffear, MIRAGE

Ffear -][- MIRAGE – [Jazzheads, 2012] –

FFEAR (Forum for Electro-Acoustic Research) is an adventurous improvising quartet co-led by long-time collaborators Ole Mathisen and Chris Washburne. FFEAR’s prime objective is to research and explore new sonic possibilities by adopting contemporary classical compositional techniques into an improvisational setting. Conventional uses of meter, tonality, and harmony are replaced with multiple meters, microtonality, and open templates of form to forge novel and unexpected paths in improvised music. FFEAR delights in blending and blurring the divide between jazz and contemporary classical music, as well as the visual and sound arts, producing a truly original voice and approach to improvised music all the while staying true to the centrality of groove.

Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS Band –||- Fields of Moons [Review]

Tags

Chris Washburne, Jazz, Trombone

Chris Washburne & The Syotos Band - Field of Moons

Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS Band –//- Fields of Moons – [Jazzheads Records, 2010] –

As I listen to this project, it occurred to me that I’ve encountered a variety of musical interludes during my quest to discover new music over the years. On this occasion, I find myself amid the radiant tempo, shapes and flavorings of Fields of Moons for which I’m elated to meet for the first time the somber voice of its owner trombonist/tubas’ Chris Washburne and his remarkable Latin jazz inspired ensemble SYOTOS and their extraordinary new recording on Jazzheads Records titled “Fields of Moons.”

Washburne and his comrades open this pulsating set of ten compositions with transcending melodies, harmonies and patterns found in the center of the illusive beginning of “Fields of Moons.” The unique yet warm and alluring equilibrium grows with an eclipse of soulful vibes underneath to gather strength while blanketed in a tapestry of a romantic samba is supported by the poignant interplay of SYOTOS as they exchange note for note expressively to erect their tasteful voicing’s as one collectively!

New Releases [Jazz] … for the Week of 7/12/2010

Tags

Chris Washburne, Jazz, New Releases, Sean Foran, Trichotomy, Trombone

Greetings’ jazz aficionados, I’m back with an intricate canvas of what’s -cool- and maybe not so -cool- from a optimistic perspective we don’t usually find in the diet of the chromatic pop music culture. The origin of new music featured each week encompasses various branches of jazz, which exudes a wealth of complex and distinctive styles, insinuating textures, immaculate melodies, and relentless rhythms exalted by the definitive voices of creative artists serves up sounds to quench our immutable thirst for quality music.

Featured Album of the Week

Chris Washburne & The Syotos Band - Field of Moons

Chris Washburne & The Syotos Band -||- Fields of Moons – [Jazzheads Records, 2010]

Chris Washburne is one of those rare musicians whose musical activities cross many styles and cultural borders. From early in his career he refused to be pigeon-holed as just being a jazz or classical player, but instead has continually pursued a diverse path. He has received rave reviews for his jazz and classical performances as well as being called “one of the best trombonists in New York” by The New York Times. Brad Walseth of JazzChicago.net writes that Chris “is one of the most intelligent and interesting thinkers in modern music, as well as being perhaps the most important trombonist performing today” (2006).

Chris has toured extensively with various groups and concertized throughout the Europe, North, South, and Central Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. He has commissioned and premiered over twenty contemporary compositions for trombone and has performed on over 150 recordings, 17 of which have won Grammy’s. His Latin jazz group, SYOTOS, is the busiest and most in demand Latin jazz group in New York, performing over 125 concerts annually, including regular performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and BAM. Their release “Paradise In Trouble” on Jazzheads Records, was nominated as the best Latin jazz record of 2004 by the Jazz Journalists Association. He is a co-leader of NYNDK, a trans-Atlantic jazz collective comprised of European and American musicians. This group was awarded the prestigious DaNY Arts Grant in 2007, a grant sponsored by the Danish Cultural Ministry for jazz composition. —Chris Washburne.com