10/11/2020 Alan Braufman
– The Fire Still Burns
New York jazz saxophonist Alan Braufman
has released his new album .
The Fire Still
Burns is out now, two years after the rerelease of Alan's 1975 album
Valley
of Search. The album is preceded by singles "Sunrise," "Home,"
and "No Floor No Ceiling."
"When I found out that my 1975 album,
Valley of Search, was getting reissued in 2018, I felt a wave of inspiration,"
says Alan. "In preparing for the first live performance of Valley of Search
in decades at both WNYC's Greene Space and Brooklyn's National Sawdust, I realized
that, of course, I would need some new music to play as well. I sat down at the
piano to noodle around a bit and 20 minutes later, I'd written 'Home.' I gave it
this name because, I was coming back home - to New York City - to play music. The
other tunes on the album also seemed equally inspired. I've always thought of writing
music was more like finding music. The music on this album was easy to find."
Recently, Alan shared a trailer for
The
Fire Still Burns. The three minute video features footage of the recording of
the album at Long Pond (The National's studio) in upstate New York's Hudson Valley.
The Fire Still Burns is only the second album to be released under Alan's own name,
following
Valley of Search. The new album features Cooper-Moore (piano),
James Brandon Lewis (Tenor sax), Andrew Drury (drums) and Ken Filiano (bass) as
well as Alan himself (alto sax, flute).
Alan Braufman is an instrumental figure
in New York City downtown culture. Born in Brooklyn, after studying at Berklee College
of Music he moved to a vacant building at 510 Canal Street in Manhattan alongside
several other musicians. Monthly rent at the time was $140 for a floor, and the
space was transformed into a practice space and venue. This gritty, improvised set
up in downtown Manhattan would blaze a trail for generations of creatives and set
a do-it-yourself tradition for young jazz acts in the city that is followed to this
day. During this period Alan recorded
Valley of Search at 501 Canal Street,
and released it with the label India Navigation. The album is a perfect snapshot
of the energy and creativity of its era, and would come to achieve cult status.
It was highly sought after by vinyl collectors, and in 2018 Alan reissued
Valley
of Search.
10/11/2020 Avgenicos Brothers – Treading Water
Treading Water is the long-awaited debut from
Avgenicos Brothers .Featuring saxophonist
Michael Avgenicos and his brother, trumpeter
Tom
Avgenicos , the joint project sees them alongside some of Sydney’s leading young
jazz artists including pianist
Novak Manojlovic (Freedman Jazz Fellowship
winner), guitarist
Felix Lalanne (Montreux International Guitar Competition
finalist), bassist
Nick Henderson and drummer
Alex Hirlian (National
Jazz Award Winner). This debut embodies the brothers’ lifelong musical dialogue
amongst a love of modern jazz, groove and electronic sound scapes.
The band members all met during their time at the Sydney Conservatorium
of Music from 2012 to ‘15, and have since played in many bands together including
Colourfields, Arcing Wires, Fryja and other collaborations across the Sydney improvised
music scene.
“As friends and peers, we have an implicit understanding of each other’s
playing,” explains Tom. “This has helped shape the sound of the group. Michael and
I have been playing together from the first days on our instruments, and regularly
share ideas and work together, especially in our writing. By the time we bring our
new tunes to the band, we have a strong idea about how it will sound and come to
life.”
Treading Water represents the feeling of overcoming. It frames
the process of perseverance, resilience and reflection through open textural improvisation,
expressive solos and thoughtful ensemble playing. “This album is a watershed moment
for us, having spent years honing our craft as performers and composers,” says Michael.
“Now is the right time for this album to emerge – an honest representation of our
musical journeys.”
Michael and Tom Avgenicos are well known fixtures on the Australian jazz
scene, both are National Jazz Awards finalists and have performed alongside Australian
jazz greats Barney McAll, Jonathan Zwartz and Mike Nock. Michael is an active member
of Coast, Eishan Ensemble and Fryja. Tom leads his own projects Delay 45 and Tuckerbox,
and is a member of Mike Nock’s NOCTET.
10/11/2020 Alex Moxon – Welcome to a New World
"Guitarist Alex Moxon has been a familiar face on the Ottawa jazz
scene for more than a decade. The Ottawa-raised 29-year-old guitarist has spent
this time refining his artistic voice while performing with a who's who of local
and national talent. His debut record, Alex Moxon Quartet, showcases his unique
point of view as a player, composer, and bandleader.
Written and recorded during the nine months prior to the birth of Alex’s
son, Fraser, the album’s theme is birth, and rebirth: not just the birth of a new
family member, but also Alex’s evolution from sideman to leader. The music is imbued
with a sense of urgency and excitement for this upcoming chapter in his life. For
example, the opening track, Woody Shaw’s “In A Capricornian Way,” was selected as
much for its inherent musical qualities and respect for its composer as it was for
the knowledge that Fraser's due date was December 22 (which would render him, of
course, a Capricorn). Another example: Moxon's composition “Piety in Crescent Park,”
conceived after an afternoon spent in New Orleans’ Crescent Park, evokes a sense
of wonder and optimism for the future that can be felt even amidst the uncertainty
of the Covidian Era.
Moxon is supported on the record by comrades and Ottawa natives Steve
Boudreau, piano, John Geggie, bass, and Michel Delage, drums. Together, they have
the sort of chemistry that can only be earned from a history of playing together,
as over the years they have all worked together both collectively and in split configurations.
Overall, Alex Moxon Quartet delivers an experience that uplifts and excites
listeners as it leads them along a path of varying emotional landscapes that mirror
the complexities of the world we find ourselves in. Let it be an antidote for gloom
and despair, and a reminder that the future will be a wonderful place."
10/11/2020 Dr Dave Young – Ides of March
Order of Canada recipient,
Dr. Dave Young , is one of Canada’s
most celebrated and valued bassists, composers, arrangers, and educators. Originally
from Winnipeg, Young has made his name known on both the Canadian and international
stages in both jazz and classical music for the last 5 decades, and along the way
has worked with some of the world’s top artists in various fields. Known for his
elegant tone, impeccable time, and immense knowledge of musical history, Young has
been a first-call bassist for the likes of
Oscar Peterson, Lenny Breau, Oliver
Jones, Cedar Walton , and countless others.
Young’s career has reached the highest of
heights in Canada, as he has not only played the best venues across the country,
but has worked with an extensive list of who’s who in this country in terms of players.
That list includes such names as
Peter Appleyard, Renee Rosnes, Don Thompson,
Joe Sealy, Molly Johnson, and
Guido Basso - and of course, the brilliant
players on this new recording.
Ides of March , his brilliant new quartet album, is the follow up
to his 2019 disc Trouble in Mind, a trio outing nominated for a 2020 Juno Award.
Recorded in early 2020 and named after a composition of Young’s, the choice of title
turned out to be prophetic in light of the Covid-19 pandemic that has disrupted
the whole world. Regarding the session, Young states that “listening to this music
now renews my faith in jazz improvisation and certainly highlights the wonderful
talents of Reg, Kevin and Terry. We hope we will come back one day soon and can
perform this music “live” for a jazz audience!”
