Andrew Oliver (piano), Kane Mathis (kora &
vocals), Chad McCullough (trumpet & flugelhorn), Brady Millard-Kish
(acoustic & electric bass), Mark DiFlorio (drum set & calabash) &
Lee Elderton (clarinet)
(Review by Russell).
Andrew Oliver’s Kora Band recorded material for the
forthcoming New Cities CD release back
in October 2013. The pianist’s project has taken some time to see the light of
day. In securing a deal with fellow London-based American Michael Janisch’s record
label it can at last be heard. Recorded in Portland, Oregon and New York, Oliver’s
band explores the connections between jazz and the music of West Africa.
A 2008 US State Department sponsored tour of West
Africa encouraged Oliver to form a band with the kora – a twenty one string
African harp – at its heart. Kane Mathis – one of America’s foremost kora
players – accepted Oliver’s invitation to join the band and three albums later New Cities is representative of current
and ongoing developments. An eight track CD, with a running time of fifty three
minutes, stately elegance permeates the entire work.
Old song melodies and African harmonic patterns
proliferate; The Contract and Teriyaa – the latter featuring the
album’s sole vocal contribution from Kane Mathis – exemplify the lyrical,
uplifting nature of the music. All of the music was composed by Oliver and he
is, no doubt, delighted by the commitment shown by the members of his band. Lee
Elderton, clarinet, is heard on two tracks only, but his part in the project is
well worthwhile. Check out his playing on Slip
Coach (for Chet). The title track New
Cities highlights the group dynamic with all of the musicians making an
excellent contribution; elegant, stately, from Brady Millard-Kish’s bass intro
to Mark DiFlorio’s consistently good drumming to Chad McCullough’s trumpet
flourish taking it out.
New Cities is
an accomplished work. The CD is scheduled for release on October
20 on Whirlwind Recordings (WR4667).
Andrew Oliver takes the music on the road with the line-up on the recording minus
Lee Elderton. Six dates are scheduled beginning with a visit to the Jazz Bar in
Edinburgh (Oct 14), the Jazz Café,
Newcastle (Oct 16) then on to London by way of Whitby and other select
venues.
Russell
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