Jazz guitar/organ/drums playing original tunes stylistically somwhere between Metheny and McLaughlin, plus some intimate solo guitar stuff.

12 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Jazz Fusion, EASY LISTENING: Mature



Details:
Carl is one of Europeâs finest guitarists with a vast range of experience , including touring and recording with some of the finest artists in contemporary music, including Billy Cobham, Nathan Haines, and Dale Barlow. Carl has also appeared on many studio sessions, including tv themes and dance tracks. A slow but dogged composer and a seasoned bandleader, Carl is steadily building up a sizeable body of recorded work and now has 6 cds to his credit, the latest being Deep Down.

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Carl is one of Europeâs finest guitarists with a vast range of experience , including touring and recording with some of the finest artists in contemporary music, including Billy Cobham, Nathan Haines, and Dale Barlow. Carl has also appeared on many studio sessions, including tv themes and dance tracks. A slow but dogged composer and a seasoned bandleader, Carl is steadily building up a sizeable body of recorded work and now has 6 cds to his credit, the latest being Deep Down.



DEEP DOWN.

My new cd Deep Down will be released in early June and while my previous cds have involved a blend of jazz, funk and rock, the new disc explores aspects of music and guitar playing that I haven't covered in earlier recordings; organ-based jazz, bossa nova and solo pieces.

Like most guitarists, I love the sound of guitar and organ together. Although I enjoy traditional bluesy, earthy organ jazz, it's not my natural habitat so I just followed my instincts and put my own stamp on this classic format, writing several compositions that were based around the warm, orchestral sound of the organ; a simple 5/4 tune, a slow, atmospheric exploration, a fast 'jungle' workout and a couple of bossa novas. I tried to find a balance between making the compositions interesting and keeping them simple enough for the musicians to feel comfortable with after minimal rehearsal.

Equipment-wise I stuck to a very simple guitar and amp setup, concentrating
on playing with energy, directness and spontaneity, and producing a decent tone.

The main body of the cd is five tracks featuring Pete Whittaker on organ and Nic France on drums. They are both outstanding musicians and big-hearted, generous guys as you can hear from their great playing throughout. We are joined at various points by saxophonists Christian Brewer and Butch Thomas and bassist Julian Bury, who all turned in great performances.

The disc also features five acoustic guitar-based compositions; two are bossa novas featuring overdubbed guitars (plus some great piano playing from Steve Rose) and three are short, totally composed solo pieces, showcasing an aspect of my music that has never before been recorded. Also included is my only recording to date of an electronic, programmed composition.

Deep Down is a big departure from my previous albums and, notwithstanding dramatic variations in musical style I feel it hangs together as a whole, making for, I hope, an interesting musical journey.


Carl Orr is a master craftsman. One of those rare artists who combine passion and virtuosity to create compelling music with every phrase.Carl grew up in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. At age 10 he started playing guitar and in 1973 he migrated with his family to Adelaide, Australia. Until leaving school in 1977, Carl studied classical guitar. From 1976 played rock, jazz and funk semi-professionally . In 1983 Carl moved to Sydney. In 1984-85 he attended Berklee College of Music in the United States. 1985 marked the return to Sydney for Carl where he played with many renowned Australian artists including:

Steve Hunter , Marcia Hines, Jackie Orszaczky, Dale Barlow, Mike Bukovsky and James Greening.

1989 first (self-titled ) cd.
1990 first appearances Billy Cobham.
1988- 1991 Carl wrote a monthly guitar column for Australian music magazine Sonics.
1991 -1995 Guitar tutor and course consultant Australian Institute of Music (Sydney).
1995 Billy Cobham Australian tour.
1995 Moved to London.
1995 -1998 Jazz guitar tutor at Brunel University.
1996-2000 Billy Cobham band member.
1999 Nathan Haines Bemsha.
2001-present; member of Dudley Philips trio
2004-present Jazz guitar tutor at Middlesex University.

CARL ORR SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY


As featured artist

Deep Down (carlorr.com) 2006
Absolute Freedom (carlorr.com) 2004
Blue Thing (Rufus) 1995
Mean It (Spiral Scratch) 1993
Seeking Spirit (rooArt) 1991
Carl Orr (rooArt) 1990


As a sideman

Dudley Philips; Life without trousers(Babel)
Juliet Kelly; Delicious Chemistry(Chantiko)
Billy Cobham; Focused(Eagle)
Nathan Haines; Squire for hire(Chillifunk);only on the track FM.
Candy Dulfer; Right in my soul(Eagle);only on the track Freak Out.
Dale Barlow; Dale Barlow(ABC)
Wanderlust; Wanderlust(ABC)
Border Crossing(ABC)
Jackie Orszaczky; Jump back Jack; Double Take(ABC)
Industrial Accident
Hungarian Rap Sadists(12â single)
Sonic Fiction; Sonic Fiction(Tall Poppies)
David Addes; Bird on a head (rooArt)
Steve Hunter; Visa(Streamline)
Caroline Loftus; Caroline Loftus(Larrikin)
Kids of Dunblaine; Throw these guns away(cd single)
This discography does not include my countless uncredited performances on UK dance/house tracks.