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| “SYNERGY — BOBBY KAPP Plays the Music of RICHARD SUSSMAN” Synergy features drummer Bobby Kapp and a septet performing a full set of new music composed by pianist Richard Sussman. The adventurous post-bop compositions are strikingly original and inspire creative solos from the all-star group. RELEASE DATE: September 1, 2023 Bobby Kapp - Drums Richard Sussman - Piano Zach Brock - Violin Aaron Irwin - Clarinet/Bs Clarinet Abraham Burton - Tenor Sax John Clark - French Horn Harvie S - Bass Scott Reeves - Conductor Artist: BOBBY KAPP and RICHARD SUSSMAN Title: SYNERGY — BOBBY KAPP Plays the Music of RICHARD SUSSMAN Artist Website: https://richardsussmanjazz.com Release Date: September 1, 2023 Label: Tweed Boulevard Records Catalog Number: 1001 UPC Code: 195269251338 TRACK LISTING 1. Tweed Boulevard 9:31 2. Infinite Mobility 8:44 3. Inner Space 7:14 4. From the Heart 7:05 5. Synergy 6:43 6. Trance Dance 6:37 7. Whirling Dervish 4:26 8. Radioactive 4:53 All music composed & arranged by Richard Sussman (Richard Sussman Music, BMI) MUSICIANS: Zach Brock - Violin, Aaron Irwin - Clarinet/Bs Clar, Abraham Burton - Tenor Sax, John Clark - French Horn, Richard Sussman - Piano, Harvie S - Bass, Bobby Kapp - Drums, Scott Reeves - Conductor While most associated with the avant-garde, Bobby Kapp has always been a versatile drummer with the desire to perform inventive new music. He commissioned pianist Richard Sussman, a composer with a unique voice of his own, to write a set of originals that would challenge the musicians. Synergy is the very successful result. Sussman's themes, while harmonically advanced, are often quite rhythmically catchy. With Synergy, Sussman continues his exploration of the integration of contemporary jazz harmonies and improvisation with avant-garde classical compositional techniques and instrumentation. He creates his own musical world of music that is melancholy but hopeful, mysterious yet ultimately logical. On Synergy, Kapp and Sussman lead a septet comprised of tenor-saxophonist Abraham Burton, Aaron Irwin on clarinet and bass clarinet, violinist Zach Brock, John Clark on French Horn, bassist Harvie S, Richard Sussman on piano, and Bobby Kapp on drums. Conducted by Scott Reeves, the music is filled with colorful ensembles, concise but memorable solos, and fresh themes that reward repeated listenings. "Tweed Boulevard" begins the innovative set with a complex theme that has Irwin's clarinet in the lead. Burton (hinting at the adventurous nature of John Coltrane), Clark and Sussman (who displays dissonant chord voicings that are all his own) are the key soloists. "Infinite Mobility" has a strangely catchy theme while "Inner Space" is highlighted by a piano solo that seems to float over the ensemble. Of the other selections, Sussman's rhythm on the piano propels "From The Heart, " "Synergy" is relatively straight ahead, "Trance Dance" has a rhythmic pattern played by Irwin on bass clarinet and Harvie S on bass that serves as the foundation or the song, "Whirling Dervish" is an advanced jazz waltz, and "Radioactive" finds the musicians making every moment count during their relatively brief solos. But in reality, the music on Synergy is largely beyond description and has to be heard to be fully experienced. Bobby Kapp studied drums with Alan Dawson at the Berklee College of Music. Early in his career he played and recorded with Marion Brown (1966's Three For Shepp), Noah Howard, Dave Burrell, and Gato Barbieri (1967). Kapp moved to Mexico in the 1990s where he played locally. In more recent times he co-led the Fine Wine Trio with pianist Richard Wyands and bassist Gene Perla, documented alto-drums duo albums with Noah Howard, and recorded with Matthew Shipp (Cactus), Ivo Perelman, and with the latter two in a quartet with William Parker in addition to leading the albums Themes 4 Transmutation and Cilla Sin Embargo. In a diverse career full of accomplishments including being a member of the jazz faculty of the Manhattan School of Music since 1986, Richard Sussman has worked with such artists as Lionel Hampton, Buddy Rich, Lee Konitz, Houston Person, Steve Slagle, and Randy Brecker. He made his recording debut in 1978 and has led such albums as Free Fall (featuring Tom Harrell and Jerry Bergonzi), Tributaries (a trio with keyboardist Andy Laverne and drummer Bob Moses), Live at Sweet Rhythm (with Tom Harrell and Jerry Bergonzi), Continuum (with Randy Brecker and Bergonzi), and The Evolution Suite for jazz quintet, string quartet and electronics. While they have had many musical experiences through the years, Synergy is a milestone in the careers of Bobby Kapp and Richard Sussman, a distinctive recording that will greatly interest listeners who enjoy thought-provoking modern jazz. write your comments about the article :: © 2023 Jazz News :: home page |