MP3 A to Z - Look Right

A remarkably mature début. Their intelligent writing and spirited playing breathes new life into an often tired genre. âLook Rightâ is accessible and easy to enjoy but there is a keen musical intelligence here and a sufficient balance of light and shade t

9 MP3 Songs in this album (59:09) !
Related styles: JAZZ: Contemporary Jazz, JAZZ: Hammond Organ

People who are interested in Chick Corea Steve Reich should consider this download.


Details:
A to Z was formed in January 2005 and is an innovative bassless,
sax-led Hammond and Rhodes quartet. They play an
eclectic mixture original music, bringing together post-bop and
funk with influences ranging from John Scofield, Chick Corea,
Joshua Redman right through to Steve Reich.

The band comprises of James Arben on Saxes and Flute, Fabio
Zambelli on Guitar, Pete Billington on Hammond and Rhodes and
Laurence Lowe on Drums. They gig regularly in London, have
toured Italy and Switzerland, and also played at the B flat Club in
Berlin. Last summer they were one of the headline bands at the popular jazz festival "Estival Jazz Libyssonis" in Sardinia and in November 2006 they played at the London Jazz Festival.

James Arben and Fabio Zambelli met while studying for their Masters Degrees at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London in 2003. During those two years their musical directions started to converge and they played in a regular quintet which performed in London. This culminated with a gig playing at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in 2003 with Jim Hart, a guest on their recently recorded album. After further collaborations they A to Z was
formed in 2005. A to Z performed regularly on the London scene and James and Fabio, with A to Z, established a new Jazz Club at Ryan's Bar in Stoke Newington, London. Through regular gigs, collaborations with other bands and promotion Ryan's Bar is now an established venue on the London scene. It is also a venue for the London Jazz Festival.

The instrumentation of the band is as follows:
Saxophones/Flute - James Arben
Hammond Synth, Fender Rhodes â Pete Billington
Electric Guitar - Fabio Zambelli
Drums - Laurence Lowe

As a group we aim explore the different sonorities created by a quartet with no bass player. The band aims to re-visit the Hammond Trios of the 60's and 70's and re-work this genre in a contemporary vein. Their aim is to write consistent music that matches the grooves of the past but uses contemporary forms and musical devices. The band has many influences that of the music 70's Jazz Rock, Chic Corea, Herbie Hancock, Pete Zawinul, Chris Potter, Joshua Redman, Kneebody, Steve Reich, James Taylor Quartet, Grant Green, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Jack Mcduff, Pete Defrancesco.

Press
"These guys play very well, they have chops, taste, restraint, and a nice compositional sense, as well as a refreshing attention to detail - they are great players and they have something special as a group" Blue Note Records

âA to Z are to be congratulated on a remarkably mature début. Their intelligent writing and spirited playing breathes new life into an often tired genre. âLook Rightâ is accessible and easy to enjoy but there is a keen musical intelligence here and a sufficient balance of light and shade to warrant repeated listening. The high technical standards we have come to
expect from 33 Records aids the process. It will be interested to see how this talented group of young musicians develops, both individually and collectively.â â 4/5 stars -
Ian Mann

"Funky Sax-led Bass-less Quartet" - London Jazz Festival