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| Gregg Brennan in Toronto On Wednesday, August 23rd, composer/drummer Gregg Brennan will bring his quintet Aiseiri to the Rex Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. On Friday September 1st, Aiseiri will be at the Dominion On Queen in Toronto. Gregg Brennan is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston Mass. He is an active composer and painter as well as a bandleader and educator. He has performed with, among others: Jeff Perry, Zulfugar Baghirov, Miles Li, Jeff Stout, Ed Saindon, Paul Elmen, Fernando Mainer, Stephane Wrembel and Danny Morris. Gregg has studied with Bob Moses, Ian Froman, Joe Hunt, and Skip Hadden and is currently an active member of the international Association for Jazz Education Formed in autumn 2004, Aiseiri is a modern jazz exploration. With a mixture of composed and free sections, the group bases its sound on the aesthetics of European jazz and free improvisation. Drawing heavily on influences from Middle Eastern "Baladi" to traditional Eastern European and Nordic folk song, jazz and the avant garde, the quintet brings a colorful blend of styles and personality with each member. Aiseiri is trumpeter Patrice Barbanchon, multi-reed player Jonathan Kay, guitarist Avi Granite, double bassist Neal Davis and drummer/percussionist Gregg Brennan. The debut Aiseiri release, Bird on Triangle is available from Standback Records (www.standbackrecords.com). Focusing on modes and textures while improvising and composing, the quintet is a fresh blend of styles and communication. With a sound that is at times brash and loud and other times soft and whispering, Aiseiri knows no bounds, nor do they care to. In live performance, the group stretches their own boundaries, but always for the music. With influences from art to film and literature, the impressionistic nature of the band's sound engulfs the listener with intelligent improvising and creative freedom. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |