Guitarist REZ ABBASI Releases His Ninth Album Continuous Beat on Enja Records, October 9, 2012

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Composer, Enja Records, Fully Altered MEDIA, Guitarist, John Hébert, Rez Abbasi, Satoshi Takeishi

Voted #2 Rising Star Guitarist in 2012 Down Beat International Critics Poll

Rez Abbasi TRIO, Continuous Beat

Inventive guitarist Rez Abbasi takes the pulse of the modern guitar trio on his ninth album, Continuous Beat. Embracing the use of electronics and effects to broaden his sonic palette to a much further extent than he ever has in the past, Abbasi evolves the scope and range of possibilities of the traditional guitar/bass/drums format far beyond its apparent limitations.

“People often think of the jazz guitar trio and relate it to all things historical,” Abbasi says. “That’s not to say that the Jim Hall trio records aren’t some of my favorite albums of all time. But it’s 2012 now and we’ve heard a lot of purely ‘warm’ guitar trio albums. I wanted to stimulate the listener’s aural perception throughout the album – to give them a sense of textural surprise from start to finish that embodies both that warmth and the desire to push away from the commonplace.”

Jürgen Friedrich -][- MONOSUITE – (For String Orchestra and Improvisers) – [Pirouet, 2012] –

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Achim Kaufmann, Classical, Composer, Conductor, European Jazz, Hayden Chisholm, Jürgen Friedrich, John Hébert, Music, Piano, Pirouet Records, Two for The Show Media

With “MONOSUITE” composer Jürgen Friedrich redefines the marriage of jazz and classical music, his concept is nothing however it’s sheer brilliance to align perfectly the angular symmetry, harmonics and frame the intricacies of these idioms into a chamber of improvisation is simply a masterpiece to behold. –Rob Young | Urban Flux Media

Jürgen Friedrich, Monosuite

Jürgen Friedrich -][- MONOSUITE – (For String Orchestra and Improvisers) –Mp3– [Pirouet, 2012] –

Monosuite – that’s what this fascinating work with its sparkling, shimmering sounds is called – music that bursts out in a powerful, clear tonal stream. The listener is immediately pulled into a maelstrom of undiscovered beauty.

This is music for a 22 piece string orchestra and four masterful soloists from the contemporary world of jazz. These great musicians interact with the Sequenza String Orchestra in lively, elastic, and amazingly organic piece of jazz artistry – inspired music played with creative discipline. -[Pirouet Records]-

Ben Kono -][- CROSSING [Nineteen-Eight Records]

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Ben Kono, Heather Laws, Henry Hey, Jazz, John Hébert, John Hollenbeck, Pete McCann, Woodwinds

Ben Kono - CROSSING

Ben Kono -][- CROSSING – [Nineteen-Eight Records, 2011]

From the artist: ==== Throughout this project the musicians in my band have been an integral part of the compositional process and have kept the whole thing fun. Henry Hey and I have been writing, playing, sailing boats, and drinking lots and lots of coffee together since our days at University of North Texas. Beyond being an incomparable pianist, he is a real positive and motivational force. He knows so much about the production process, and I could not have done this project without his guidance. Pete McCann and I have played countless ‘commercial’ gigs together, as well as more creative ventures, since I moved to New York.

Whether we’re playing “Disco Inferno” for the hundredth time or the newest thing to come out of the BMI workshop, Pete plays with more integrity, care and energy than anyone I know, and always with his unique sound and style. John Hollenbeck I’ve know the longest, and our history goes back to our first years at Eastman School of Music together. He’s my favorite drummer, period, and his own compositional style has had a huge impact on my own, as well as an entire new generation of writers. Much of this music I wrote specifically with him in mind. John Hebert I had only played with a few times, but I remember the incredible hookup he and Hollenbeck had during a gig we played at Bowery Poetry Club. He is the baddest bass player around. And finally, as accomplished a singer and musician my wife, Heather Laws, is I had never considered using her for a project like this until I heard her in the Broadway production of “Company”. As I watched her fly from french horn to trumpet to singing faster-than-human Sondheim lyrics, I was stunned by her musicianship. I realized I had to use her, and I think she lends a well-needed dramatic element to the mix. —Product Description | Amazon.com

Released: 2/25/2011
Ben Kono – saxophones, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, English horn; Henry Hey – piano; Pete McCann – guitar; John Hébert – bass; John Hollenbeck – drums; Heather Laws – vocals/French horn

..:: SOURCE: Amazon.com ::..