| VETERAN BASSIST JAY ANDERSON LEADS AN ALL-STAR GROUP THROUGH AN INTRIGUING SET OF POST-BOP JAZZ  |
 |
In diverse settings ranging from chordless quartets and quintets to a bass-harmonium duet, Anderson performs inspired versions of various pieces including gems by Keith Jarrett, Billy Joel, Gil Evans and Morton Feldman.
Track Listing: 1. Deepscape (Jay Anderson) 2:09 2. Shades Of Jazz (Keith Jarrett) 5:08 3. Rothko Chapel (5th movement) (Morton Feldman) 7:13 4. Southern Smiles (Keith Jarrett) 6:10 5. And So It Goes (Billy Joel) 4:27 6. Time Of The Barracudas (Gil Evans) 4:58 7. Sweet And Lovely (Gus Arnheim, Harry Tobias, Charles N. Daniels) 7:31 8. Momentum (Jay Anderson) 6:23 9. Witchi-Tai-To (Jim Pepper) 6:49 10. The Mighty Sword (Branford Marsalis) 6:40 11. Tennessee Waltz (Pee Wee King, Redd Stewart) 3:28 Musicians: Jay Anderson, bass Billy Drewes, alto, soprano, bass clarinet (2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10) Kirk Knuffke, cornet (2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10) Matt Wilson, drums (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) Frank Kimbrough, harmonium (3, 9, 11) Rogério Boccato, percussion (3, 6, 7, 9) Throughout his prolific career, bassist Jay Anderson has uplifted the performances and recordings of many from the who’s who of jazz. Long overdue to lead his own recording again (his other albums as a leader were made in the early 1990s), Anderson brings together a flexible group of inventive improvisers to perform an eclectic set of colorful and thoughtful music for Deepscape. Five of the selections have the bassist leading a chordless quartet/quintet that features Billy Drewes on alto and soprano, cornetist Kirk Knufke, drummer Matt Wilson and percussionist Rogério Boccato (on four songs). Among the project’s highpoints, “Shades Of Jazz” and “Southern Smiles” were originally recorded by Keith Jarrett’s legendary American Quartet of the early/mid 70’s, a group that included tenor-saxophonist Dewey Redman, bassist Charlie Haden and drummer Paul Motian. These new and joyful performances feature interaction by the two horns and are free bop at its best. The quintet also performs Gil Evans’ “Time Of The Barracudas,” Anderson’s original “Momentum” (which utilizes a tone row that expands exponentially and features passionate playing by Drewes on soprano), and Branford Marsalis’ “The Mighty Sword.” Anderson’s bass is in the spotlight for the brief title cut which sets the tone, and has him making a quiet but powerful statement over a drone. Later, Anderson’s bass takes center stage once again, in a thoughtful folk song-like treatment of Billy Joel’s “And So It Goes.” Deepscape also includes the 5th movement of composer Morton Feldman’s meditative piece “Rothko Chapel,” a reworking of the standard “Sweet And Lovely,” Jim Pepper’s haunting “Witchi-Tai-To,” and a unique bass-harmonium duet with Frank Kimbrough on “Tennessee Waltz.” Jay Anderson, who was born in Southern California, began playing the bass at the age of 12. He won several awards in both jazz and classical music while attending school. One week after graduating from California State University at Long Beach he joined the Woody Herman Orchestra. The bassist’s career has not slowed down since. Anderson was with the Woody Herman Big Band for a year, spent two years accompanying singer Carmen McRae, and in 1982 moved to New York. Since then he has been on over 400 recordings (including nearly 100 for the Steeplechase label) and worked with such luminaries as Red Rodney, Ira Sullivan, Michael Brecker, Toots Thielemans, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Eliane Elias, Bennie Wallace, Bob Mintzer, Lynne Arriale, Stanley Cowell, Joe Sample, Paul Bley, Randy Brecker, John Scofield, John Abercrombie, Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, Lee Konitz, Jay Clayton, Kenny Wheeler, Ryan Truesdell’s Gil Evans Project among countless others, not to mention, David Bowie, Frank Zappa, Tom Waits, Chaka Khan, Michel Legrand, Van Cliburn, (poet) Allen Ginsberg and even Celine Dion. No matter the setting, from duo to a large ensemble, Jay Anderson is a proven asset to every musical situation in which he finds himself. Now on Deepscape, he steps out as a leader, performing creative music that contains many unexpected moments while fulfilling his own musical vision. Jay Anderson “Deepscape” SteepleChase SCCD 31870) Street Date: April 15, 2019 Jay Anderson, bass, Billy Drewes, alto, soprano, bass clarinet (2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10), Kirk Knuffke, cornet (2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10), Matt Wilson, drums (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), Frank Kimbrough, harmonium (3, 9, 11), Rogério Boccato, percussion (3, 6, 7, 9) UPC Code: 716043187027 http://www.jayandersonbass.com http://steeplechase.dk/ SteepleChase is distributed by Stateside (US) Available on AMAZON |
Jay Anderson Media Contact
Jim Eigo Jazz Promo Services 272 Ste Route 94 S #1 Warwick, NY 10990 T: 845-986-1677 / F: 845-986-1699 E-Mail: jim@jazzpromoservices. Web Site: www.jazzpromoservices. |
