Groove Travels is Gerard Presencer’s first big band album.
The third of his three solo recording projects dates from 2001. An academic
career and touring world wide with a number of Charlie Watts’ jazz ensembles has
more than occupied the British trumpeter. Relocating to Copenhagen to work with
the acclaimed Danish Radio Big Band opens a new chapter.
This Edition Records’ release comprises eight tracks
(all arranged by Presencer, five of them composed by the trumpeter and three
others of ‘classic’ status) recorded by Lars C Bruun at Danish Radio Studios in
January 2015. Presencer has a nineteen piece band to work with plus two guest
musicians – American Adam Rapa recruited as lead trumpeter and Cuban
percussionist Eliel Lazo – making for a mammoth exercise. Presencer has an ace
up his sleeve in having worked with the musicians for several years. Another Weirdo opens Groove Travels. We’ve all been there –
sitting quietly on the bus, or in Presencer’s case, the train, minding one’s
own business when the weirdo gets on and sits down in the one available
seat…the one next to you. GP takes a flugel solo on this one, trumpet is his
secondary instrument on this recording. The tune is a ‘groove’ vehicle, a
common theme across the album. The rhythm section is given due prominence
throughout, bassist Kaspar Vadsholt’s electric excursions to the fore, as is
the smart drumming of Søren Frost and an eclectic mix of Fender Rhodes, Hammond
and synths courtesy of Henrik Gunde.
Groove Travels references time and place; Eleanor Rigby (GP: This melody has always captured
my imagination), Blues for Des (GP:
This is essentially a West African rhythm
…something trumpeter Woody Shaw would
play), Wayne Shorter’s Footprints
features tenor saxophonist Hans Ulrik, Presencer inspired by American tv cop
shows and an Afro- Cuban groove in a reharmonisation of the tune. The Devil’s Larder is an exercise in the
‘shameless excess’ sometimes evident
in progressive rock and the jazz big band. Gerard Presencer states: I wrote this piece for the drummer in my
small band Chris Dagley. The dubious prospect of melding rock with jazz is
quickly dispelled. What makes it work is the writing and playing. Presencer is
well aware he has got a great band at his disposal.
Groove Travels by Gerard Presencer & the Danish Radio Big
Band on Edition Records is
released on January 29, available on CD EDN
1065 and LP EDN 1065.
Gerard Presencer: This
recording is dedicated to the grooving memory of Chris Dagley.
Russell.
Gerard Presencer (trumpet & flugelhorn) &
Danish Radio Big Band:
Trumpets Michael Mølhede, Christer Gustafsson, Thomas
Kjaergaard, Jens Chr. Gotholdt.
Trombones Vincent Nilsson, Steen Hansen, Anders
Larson, Ola Nordquist.
Tuba & bass trombone André Jensen.
Saxophones
Nicolai Schultz, Peter Fuglsang, Pelle Fridell, Hans Ulrik Jensen, Karl-Martin
Almqvist, Anders Gaardmand.
Guitar Per Gade.
Double bass &
electric bass Kaspar Vadsholt.
Drums Søren Frost.
Fender Rhodes, Hammond organ
& synths Henrik Gunde.
Special guests lead trumpet Adam Rapa; percussion
Eliel Lazo.
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