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Andromeda

by Alex Garnett

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    High quality, 6-panel digifile with a machine-varnish finish

    Includes unlimited streaming of Andromeda via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Comes with album artwork PDF + album cover photo as a jpg
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

1.
So Long 06:11
2.
3.
Andromeda 07:24
4.
5.
Early Autumn 06:53
6.
7.
Holmes 05:42
8.

about

PERSONNEL

Alex Garnett - tenor saxophone
Tim Armacost - tenor saxophone
Liam Noble - piano
Michael Janisch - double bass
James Maddren - drums

ALBUM CREDITS

Recorded at Red Gables Facilities Ltd. London, 25 Nov 2013
Engineer - Dick Hammett
Mixing & Mastering - Tyler McDiarmid
Produced by Michael Janisch & Alex Garnett
Executive Producer - Michael Janisch

credits

released January 26, 2015

ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Andromeda is the second solo release from London-based saxophonist and composer Alex Garnett and is the debut recording of 'Bunch of Five' his new two tenor saxophone project. This quintet brings the classic dueling saxophone format into a contemporary context, giving it a fresh face without losing its gladiatorial edge. The musical ethos is strongly routed in groove and swing and combines the eclectic tastes and experiences of the ensemble members while leaving plenty of room for liberties and unexpected twists within the various song structures.

The two frontmen, Garnett and the NYC-based Tim Armacost, have a collective 50 years of combined playing experience on the international stage, frequently appearing at festivals and clubs across the map. Finally a situation has matured to allow these two men to join forces and expand upon their mutual admiration, and their individual sound, phrasing and approach to playing the saxophone compliment each other greatly while at the same time pushing each other to their improvisational limits.

'Bunch of Five' engages in original repertoire which at once is both grounded in the tradition yet aspires to push beyond the comfort bubble in its harmonic considerations and improvisations. Rounding out the group is a versatile rhythm section featuring UK pianist Liam Noble, American bassist Michael Janisch, and one of London’s in demand young drummers, James Maddren.

The compositions are all Garnett’s creations reflecting a broad sweep of influences from the last twenty years of his musical journey. Material is spawned from varied sources including the effect of hearing a life changing Benny Golson concert in the early 90s, a fascination with astronomy and the relationship of universal frequencies, Alex's love of (and skills in) comedy, to even the more recent impact of fatherhood and its spiritual demands.

The title track of the album, ‘Andromeda’, is dedicated to the mythological Greek Princess and far away galaxy of the same name. In a musical metaphor, the two saxophones weave their way towards each other finally converging in the eerie 7/4 time slash chord groove. Garnett cryptically informs the listener that this serves as a “reminder of the darker elements of her intentions towards us” and that In 3.75 billion years or so the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies are set to fatally collide.

Although the concept of time is basically a human construct, you could say that emotionally this latest creative release of Garnett's has been twenty years in the making but spiritually speaking hasn't come a moment too soon.

PRESS HIGHLIGHTS

"Garnett’s group includes New York saxophonist Tim Armacost in a series of virtuosic two-tenor conversations... The leader’s dark, almost baritone-like tone and Armacost’s lighter sound establish plenty of intrigue. Serpent was a hard act to follow, but Garnett has nailed it."
★★★★ The Guardian

"These are musicians with their own strong personalities and improvising styles."
The Sunday Herald

"The tough, tight and sinuous front line was a fresh look at the twin-tenor set up."
Financial Times

"The second album from Londoner Alex Garnett, 'Bunch of 5', brings the saxophone duel into a contemporary context."
JazzZeitung

"The writing throughout (mostly Garnett’s) is very convincing... Garnett and Tim Armacost bound around like labradors."
★★★★ Marlbank

"An hour of dynamic music, recorded with enthusiasm and skill."
Der Hörspiegel

"Good old Brit Jazz beats mercilessly... highly professional and sometimes gladiatori​al."
Jazz thing

"Two tenor saxophones offering everything from dance rhythms to fiery duels. A delicious mix of swing, cool, free and even bebop."
Sol

"A superbly satisfying listening experience... Impressive interplay between the two tenor saxophonists."
Music an sich

"This a fine album from Garnett and his Bunch of 5 that unusually for a two tenor front line resists the temptation for combative duelling, and the net result is a set that reveals more with each listening."
Jazz Views

"The diversity and inventiveness of the strong Garnett/Armacost musical partnership here is compelling throughout."
AP Reviews

"Thoroughly enjoyable."
The Northern Echo

"The emphasis is on swing and groove while leaving space for some contemporary surprises. Garnett is the lighter sounding tenor, the NYC-based Armacost slightly harder and boppish and they complement each other well. It is in effect a very good partnership in the tradition of Griffin and Davis or Ammons and Stitt, likely to appeal to all followers of those masters."
★★★★ Jazz Journal

"Andromeda features five of the brightest stars on today’s jazz scene."
London Jazz

"The two tenor front line has long been a classic combo format - Think Sonny Stiit/Gene Ammons; Teddy Edwards/Dexter Gordon; Gordon/Wardell Gray; Zoot Sims/Al Cohn; Lockjaw Davis/Johnny Griffin and, of course, the Jazz Couriers in the form of Ronnie Scott and Tubby Hayes. However, comparisons are odious or, in this case, melodious, and this quintet can stand up and be counted alongside any of their predecessors."
Bebop Spoken Here

"The echo of the tradition is very much in Alex Garnett's Bunch of 5."
Hi-Fi News & Record Review

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Alex Garnett London, UK

The Whirlwind Artist Page for saxophonist and composer Alex Garnett.

Performing both as a solo artist and first-call session musician across Europe. Performances with Wynton Marsalis, Lee Konitz, Rolling Stones, Van Morrison. ... more

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