Timeless and original contemporary acoustic jazz fusion with an expansive Australian sound - impassioned saxophones, free and funky flutes over a rich tapestry of guitars and percussive beats. via garbarek, gismonti, brecker, metheny et al.

9 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Jazz Fusion, WORLD: World Fusion



Details:
Impassioned saxophones, free and funky flutes over a rich tapestry of guitars and percussive beats. From the anthemic title track "Two Years" with soaring saxophone and huge walls of acoustic guitars, to georgeous ballads ("After The Gig", "Nice to Know", "Strange Turn"), the lyrical abstraction of "Jangles", and the funk of "Danca", this recording lays bare an exceptional creative spirit, fusing jazz, rock and folk influences into an homogenous and distinctive voice.

"Two Years" represents the more accessible work of seminal Melbourne-based group "Third Floor Richard", formed by Tony Hicks as a vehicle for the conception, exploration and development of an original musical voice. The members of Third Floor Richard have moved on to become important figures in the Australian music scene as performers and producers.
Musical influences range from well-known artists such as Michael Brecker and Pat Metheny, Jan Garbarek (and even Led Zepplin), to explorations into the less commercial concepts of Dave Liebman, John Scofield, Egberto Gismonti and Ornette Coleman.


Tony Hicks (saxophones, flutes and clarinets) has recorded and performed with the cream of Australian jazz, classical and avant-guarde music ensembles and artists including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Art Orchestra, Elision Ensemble, Tommy Emmanuel, Christine Sullivan, David Herschfelder and Joe Chindamo, and worked on commercial music projects including over 35 professional theatre productions, recordings for film, television and major events including AFL Grand Finals and the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. He has appeared in concert with international artists including Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Billy Cobham and Randy Brecker.

Guitarist Shane O'Mara plays and produces for many top independent Australian artists including Stephen Cummings, Chris Wilson, Rebecca Barnard, and Tess MacKenna.

Tony Floyd (Drums and percussion) toured the world with pop folk band "Things of Stone and Wood" and works with major Australian artists such as Ross Wilson and Joe Camilleri.

Bassist Pas Monea worked with a number of indi rock acts including White Cross, a band that achieved success on the US College scene.

Ben Robertson, who contributes his acoustic bass mastery to several tracks, works with the elite of the Australian jazz scene including Joe Chindamo, David Jones, Geoff Hughes and Nigel Maclean.