Prequal
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | SELF | AFM
Music
Press
Friday, November 16, 2007
Pick up a copy of Jerrold Dubyk's new independently produced The Way You See It (CD Baby distribution) and you'll hear one of the most accomplished, varied, nicely paced jazz debuts around.
That's not a big surprise if you've heard the local tenor saxophonist perform recently, especially given his dozen years of experience playing professionally.
Dubyk admits he's been a bit tardy in putting out a disc, but it was worth the wait for this selection of intriguing, original and contemporary jazz. The reedman explains the eclectic set of tunes came both by chance and by design.
"I was writing in such a condensed period. But I also manipulated things by adding harmonic and rhythmic devices and different time signatures and chord changes into the tunes."
He says it's even more fun taking on the same material in live performance.
"Now that the guys in the band know the tunes better, they're bringing their own flavour to it and that's what I want when I play live."
American Jon Eshelman, who plays piano and B3 organ on the disc, is a pal from Dubyk's time in the masters program at New Jersey's Rutgers University.
Since Dubyk's return in 2005, he's been teaching at Grant Macewan College and the Victoria School of the Arts and planning the album with an eye to generating touring opportunities.
Dubyk's quartet -- with pianist Tom King, drummer Bill George and bassist Jeff Johnson -- hits the Yardbird tonight at 9. Tickets are $10 for members, $14 for guests.
- Edmonton Journal
Discography
Recording debut album in 2012.
Photos
Bio
prequalify |pre'kwäl??fi|
verb [ intrans. ]
qualify in advance to take part in
something.
An apt definition to be sure. A group of skilled players with a simple goal in mind, to let the music direct them instead of the other way around. Music and art are products of the environment that surrounds them and with that in mind, these players had decided to let the music be what it needed to be based on the input of the players themselves. It was an inspired idea.
Four players of vastly different experience and approach decided to get together once a week to jam. Everything was recorded, documented and listened to. All improvisations were met with a filter to best prequalify the finest qualities of what the four players were capable of creating.
A rich soundscape of improvised and arranged ideas void of self indulgence and contrived compositional devices. Four players creating and reacting to the very environment they have created with sublime synchronicity and stellar musicianship.
In a time of musical fragility, where the masses need a label to associate sound, you could say Prequal is “alternative jazz”. But Prequal would prefer it if you listened without labels and connect with them on a musical journey.
Links
