11th December 2014: BIG NEWS: Alex Garnett’s ‘Bunch of Five’ release ‘Andromeda’ January 26th ft. Liam Noble, Tim Armacost, James Maddren Michael Janisch + UK tour
Andromeda is the second solo release from the acclaimed London-based saxophonist and composer Alex Garnett and is the debut recording of ‘Bunch of Five‘ his new two tenor saxophone project. This quintet brings the classic dueling saxophone format into a contemporary context, giving it a fresh face without losing its gladiatorial edge. The musical ethos of ‘Bunch of Five’ is strongly routed in groove and swing and combines the eclectic tastes and experiences of the ensemble members while leaving plenty of room for liberties and unexpected twists within the various song structures.
The two frontmen, Garnett and the NYC-based Tim Armacost have a collective 50 years of combined playing experience on the international stage, frequently appearing at festivals and clubs across the map. Finally a situation has matured to allow these two men to join forces and expand upon their mutual admiration, and the results are impressive– their individual sound, phrasing and approach to playing the saxophone compliment each other greatly while at the same time pushing each other to their improvisational limits.
‘Bunch of Five’ engages in exciting original repertoire which at once is both grounded in the tradition yet aspires to push beyond the comfort bubble in its harmonic considerations and improvisations. Rounding out the group is a highly versatile rhythm section featuring UK superstar pianist Liam Noble, powerhouse American bassist Michael Janisch, and one of London’s most musical and in demand young drummers, James Maddren.
The compositions are all Garnett’s creations reflecting a broad sweep of influences from the last twenty years of his musical journey. Material is spawned from varied sources including the effect of hearing a life changing Benny Golson concert in the early 90s, a fascination with astronomy and the relationship of universal frequencies, Alex’s love of (and skills in) comedy, to even the more recent impact of fatherhood and its spiritual demands.
The title track of the album, ‘Andromeda’, is dedicated to the mythological Greek Princess and far away galaxy of the same name. In a musical metaphor, the two saxophones weave their way towards each other finally converging in the eerie 7/4 time slash chord groove. Garnett cryptically informs the listener that this serves as a “reminder of the darker elements of her intentions towards us” and that In 3.75 billion years or so the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies are set to fatally collide.
Although the concept of time is basically a human construct, you could say that emotionally this latest creative release of Garnett’s has been twenty years in the making but spiritually speaking hasn’t come a moment too soon.
Check out the official video for ‘Her Tears’ from the recording session.
Catch Alex and the band on their UK tour (more tour dates to be confirmed check our events page for more).
Friday 9th Jan 2015
Alex Garnett’s Bunch of 4 “Andromeda Quartet”
VENUE NAME -Fleece Jazz @ Stoke by Nayland Hotel
STREET -Keepers Lane, Leavenheath
TOWN-Colchester,Essex
POST CODE-CO6 4P2
TELEPHONE-01787211865
START TIME- 8pm
PRICE – £15
www.fleecejazz.org.uk.
Sat 17th Jan 2015 Tbc
Sunday 18th Jan 2015
Alex Garnett’s Bunch of 5
VENUE NAME-Herts Jazz @ Campus West
STREET-The Campus
TOWN-Welwyn Garden City
POST CODE- AL8 6BX
TELEPHONE- 01707 357117
START TIME- 8pm
PRICE – £10-£12
hertsjazz.co.uk
Monday 19th 2015
* Official Album launch venue*
Alex Garnett’s Bunch of 5
VENUE NAME-606 Club
STREET- 90 Lots Rd
TOWN- Chelsea ,London
POST CODE- SW10 0QD
TELEPHONE- 0207 3525953
START TIME- 8.30pm
PRICE – £10- £12
www.606club.co.uk
Tuesday 20th Jan 2015
Alex Garnett’s Bunch of 5
VENUE NAME-Dempseys
STREET- 5 Upper Kincraig St
TOWN-Cardiff ,Wales
POST CODE-CF24 3HA
TELEPHONE-029 20496802
START TIME-8.30pm
PRICE – £7-£10
www.jazzatdempseys.org.uk
Wednesday 21st Jan 2015
Alex Garnett’s Bunch of 5
VENUE NAME-St James Social Club- Swansea Jazzland
STREET- St James Crescent,Uplands
TOWN-Swansea
POST CODE-SA1 6DR
TELEPHONE-07802 912789
START TIME- 8.30pm
PRICE – £10
www.swanseajazzland.co.uk
Thursday 22nd Jan 2015
Alex Garnett’s Bunch of 5
VENUE NAME- The Coronation Tap
STREET-8 Sion Place, Clifton
TOWN-Bristol
POST CODE-BS8 4AX
TELEPHONE-01179739617
START TIME-9pm
PRICE – £10
www.thecoronationtap.com
Friday 23rd Jan 2015
Alex Garnett’s Bunch of 5
VENUE NAME-Wakefield Jazz club
STREET- Eastmoor Rd
TOWN – Wakefield
POST CODE-WF1 3RR
TELEPHONE-01977689542
START TIME- 8.30pm
PRICE – £10-£15
www.wakefieldjazz.org
Saturday 24th Jan 2015 (tbc)
Friday 6th Feb 2015
Alex Garnett’s Bunch of 5
VENUE NAME-The Cube Deda
STREET- Chapel St
TOWN- Derby
POST CODE-DE1 3GU
TELEPHONE-01332 370911
START TIME- 8pm
PRICE – £10
www.derby-jazz.co.uk
Thursday April 2nd 2015
Alex Garnett’s Bunch of 5’s
VENUE NAME-The Progress Theatre
STREET-The Mount, Christchurch Road
TOWN-Reading
POST CODE-RG1 5HL
TELEPHONE-0811 384 2195
START TIME- 7.30pm
PRICE – £13 -£10.50 conc
www.progresstheatre.co.uk