The Darkening Blue

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Cat No: WR4693

Release Date: 14 October 2016

Label: Whirlwind Recordings

Packaging Type: Digipak

No of Units: 1

Barcode: 5052442008330

Genres: Jazz Contemporary

Description
For his third Whirlwind release, trumpeter Andre Canniere shifts in an oblique direction from previous albums 'Forward Space' and 'Coalescence' with original compositions inspired by the words of Bohemian-Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke and American author Charles Bukowski.

'The Darkening Blue' is a sextet project which reaches into the heart of Stephen Mitchell's insightful translations of Rilke, some of which are conveyed by one of UK jazz's most expressive vocalists, Brigitte Beraha. There are instrumentally diverse interpretations, too, of Bukowski's writings, which are illuminated throughout by Tori Freestone (tenor sax), Ivo Neame (piano, keyboards, accordion), Michael Janisch (acoustic/electric bass) and Ted Poor (drums).

Combining Rilke's mystical intensity with a reassuring wistfulness, Beraha delivers lyrical stanzas which rhythmically and organically enfold Canniere's narrative arrangements to kindle rich, tumbling, connective improvisation - and that sense of engagement and craft flows throughout an album which is as forcefully dynamic as it is emotionally moving, frequently drawing out imaginative displays of virtuosity.

Andre Canniere is thrilled by the way his new project, with its jazz, indie rock and songwriting influences, has come to fruition: "These are great musicians who intuitively 'bring their thing' to my compositions, which is what I love; and I've been crazy about the work of Rilke and Bukowski for some time - it can affect people in many different ways. So if I can turn listeners onto some great poetry, introducing them to something in addition to the music, then that's great."

Personnel: Andre Canniere (trumpet), Brigitte Beraha (voice), Tori Freestone (tenor saxophone), Ivo Neame (piano, keyboards, accordion), Michael Janisch (electric & double bass), Ted Poor (drums)

Press:

"A fine example of a stellar line-up achieving a remarkable amalgam of depth, warmth and sensitivity." - **** All About Jazz

"Canniere's instrumentals confirm his composing power...The band is terrific." - **** The Guardian

"Varied and intriguing... The pairing of Canniere with tenorist Tori Freestone is a delight." - Jazzwise

"The spirit of experimentation at work here cannot be denied nor the skill with which the disparate elements of text, music, arrangement and performance have been brought together." - Sandy Brown Jazz

"The musicianship is beyond reproach." - Bebop Spoken Here

"A lovely sound, with melodic lines flowing easily off into improvisations." - The Jazz Breakfast

"This is sophisticated yet accessible music, immaculately performed by a crack band of highly compatible musicians." - Jazz Views

"A tremendous band, who all impress individually and collectively."- The Northern Echo

"A reminder of original contemporary jazz's astounding ability, without warning, to coax wide-ranging, often tear-welling emotions from deep within." - London Jazz

"An impressive collaboration with imaginative displays of virtuosic improvisation." - Jazz Journal
Tracklisting