Prima Facie is pleased to present a collection of works by composer, pianist and producer Stephen Plews.
Stephen is more widely known work as a producer having produced many notable albums in the Jazz and classical world by the likes of Peter Maxwell Davies, John McCabe and the the renowned pianist Kenneth Hamilton.
Steve Plewswas born in Salford, UK, in 1961. He was brought up in the market town of Macclesfield, where studied at the King's School and was introduced to Stravinsky, Debussy and Ravel at an early age - composers that he feels have shaped his musical output. Since 1994 Steve has developed his musical career as a jazz pianist / bandleader, classical composer, CD producer and record label owner.
Steve is a champion of new music, setting up his labelASC Recordsto promote artists in contemporary jazz, and proud to promote premiere recordings by British classical composers through his labelPrima Facie Records.
The album has a distinctly Jazzy flavour. The opening guitar duet (dedicated to John MacGlauglin) is performed by Jazz guitarist John Bailey.Ed Jones (Tenor Saxophone) plays on the next three short preludes and then improvises over an orchestral backing that Steve Plews created from various recording sessions over the last 3 years. Ed had nt heard the backing and improvised over it blind. The composer said I wanted the Concerto to capture the essence of contemporary and to not sound too slick.It's supposed to be edgy and dissonant. Ed Jones and Steve Plews have been friends since University and performed and recorded many times together.
The piano Sonata is inspired by Ravel, Bill Evans and many more influential pianists and composers.
