Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Harley Card - Hedgerow (2013)

Toronto based contemporary jazz guitarist and composer Harley Card releases Hedgerow, his second independent CD as a bandleader.

A follow up to Card’s 2008 debut Non-Fiction, Hedgrerow introduces ten of his new compositions, featuring stunning performances by some of Canada’s top emerging jazz musicians.

On Hedgerow, Card employs many of his long time collaborators - all well known leaders and sidemen in their own right - in quintet, quartet, and trio settings. Drawing from years of live performance experience, the recording showcases new heights of expression and group improvisation from Card and his colleagues. Card demonstrates the versatility of his idiosyncratic voice both on acoustic and electric guitars.

From the frenetic Get There, to Flash Card Etude No.1's infectious swing; and to introspective, unfolding compositions like Sophomore and Coalescence, Hedgerow is packed with elegant writing and contemporary ensemble playing of the highest order.

Harley’s skills as arranger and producer ring through as he calls upon a range of disparate sonic influences to achieve a cohesive musical whole. Throughout the recording, a vast array of textures and moods are tied together by strong melodic themes, rich harmonic landscapes, and the encompassing vision of a masterwork.

Harley Card- guitars and loops
David French- tenor saxophone and bass clarinet
Matt Newton- piano and Fender Rhodes
Jon Maharaj- bass (tracks 1,2,5,6,9)
Ethan Ardelli- drums (tracks 1,2,5,6,9)
Dan Fortin- bass (tracks 3,4,7,8,10)
Fabio Ragnelli- drums (tracks 3,4,7,8,10)

All compositions by Harley Card.
Produced by Harley Card.
Recorded Nov. 2012 at Inception Sound Studios, Toronto by David Hermiston.
Mixed by David Hermiston.
Mastered by Jeff Elliott.
Photography and Design by Monika Traikov.

"Card’s musical sensibility is fully formed and urbane. His writing reflects a sense of history and is therefore worldly wise."                                                                          

 - Raul d’Gama Rose- All About Jazz

Harley Card is a Toronto based guitarist, composer, and freelance musician. In addition to leading his own groups and being an active sideman, Harley is a member of the Toronto groups; Hobson’s Choice, God’s Gift To Yoda, and Stoptime. Each ensemble has performed extensively in Canada and released multiple recordings. Hobson’s Choice’s recent Barnyard Records release; “Of The Waves”,(www.barnyardrecords.com) was premiered at The 2012 TD Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival.
A mainstay on CBC radio since it’s 2008 release, Harley’s debut CD; “Non-Fiction” has received praise from critics, presenters, and musicians alike. Harley was also a semi finalist in the 2008 Montreux Jazz Festival Guitar Competition. 

http://www.harleycard.ca/