Bob Frye Fusion Band
Agoura Hills, California, United States | SELF
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BOB FRYE TRIO
Your Moment Is Now
Many electric keyboardists treat the synthesizer and other keyboards as if they are merely electrified pianos. Bob Frye has a much deeper understanding of his instruments.
While earning a bachelors degree at the University of New York at Fredonia, and during Master’s studies at USCD in La Jolla, California, he spent a lot of time working in the schools' electronic music studios. Since then he has programmed sample libraries for many recording artists and manufacturers, been a Product Manager at Yamaha, and has produced commercial music, underscores and sound design for a large number of clients. Clearly he knows what synthesizers can do.
At the same time, Frye knows how to make music swing. He founded and led the San Diego-based fusion band Purl. And on the recording debut of his trio, Your Moment Is Now, he has created 11 originals that are full of spontaneity yet are purposeful and use his keyboards creatively.
Eight of the selections have Bob Frye joined by bassist Craig Henry and either Roger Moreau or Dave Lewis on drums. The interplay between the musicians is quite inventive. The opening “Catalyst,” in 7/4 time, features Frye taking both a piano solo and a second spot on electric keyboards while Lewis' has drum breaks over the closing vamp. “Eleven Eleven” (which is not the time signature!) has an excited late night feel about it. “Equilateral” starts out with the time barely being kept. Frye plays fleet-fingered lines, Henry's bass offers relaxed commentary and Lewis' drums provide a very loose rhythm. It all works.
Continuing with the other trio numbers, “Twelve Twentyfour” has an urgent melody line that is answered by Frye's other keyboards. That basic idea continues throughout the piece even as the improvisations build. “Six Till Monk” is a cooker for the trio which gives the keyboardist an opportunity to jam over the hard-swinging bass and drums. Four minutes into the piece, the melody of Thelonious Monk's “Well You Needn't” makes a surprise appearance. “Smiles Of Miles” has the feel of a Miles Davis number from the 1970s. Beginning with Frye on Rhodes and acoustic pianos, then moving to B3 organ, his synth playing later in the piece is more reminiscent of Chick Corea. One could easily imagine Miles Davis jamming along with this piece. “Mister Modern” is also a fusionish piece that also recalls some of Davis' groove pieces, at least at first. After the piano and synth solo together, it becomes a rapid jazz waltz. “Miracle Child” is an episodic piece that explores a variety of sounds and moods.
Bob Frye's three unaccompanied piano solos are each memorable in their own way. The relatively brief “Your Moment Is Now” is a thoughtful ballad. “Before You Speak” is a folkish solo piece that recalls Keith Jarrett and perhaps George Winston a little, featuring some speechlike phrasing. The final number, the extensive “Gift From The Future,” is utterly fascinating as Frye creates a consistently intriguing improvisation that is quite unpredictable yet ultimately logical.
Bob Frye's Your Moment Is Now grows in interest with each listen. It is an impressive set full of surprises that is well worth experiencing.
Your Moment is Now is available on iTunes, CDBaby.com, and on Amazon.com.
Scott Yanow,
Author of ten books including Trumpet Kings, The Jazz Singers, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76
- Scott Yanow, Author of ten books including Trumpet Kings, The Jazz Singers, Jazz On Film and Jazz On
BOB FRYE TRIO
Your Moment Is Now
Many electric keyboardists treat the synthesizer and other keyboards as if they are merely electrified pianos. Bob Frye has a much deeper understanding of his instruments.
While earning a bachelors degree at the University of New York at Fredonia, and during Master’s studies at USCD in La Jolla, California, he spent a lot of time working in the schools' electronic music studios. Since then he has programmed sample libraries for many recording artists and manufacturers, been a Product Manager at Yamaha, and has produced commercial music, underscores and sound design for a large number of clients. Clearly he knows what synthesizers can do.
At the same time, Frye knows how to make music swing. He founded and led the San Diego-based fusion band Purl. And on the recording debut of his trio, Your Moment Is Now, he has created 11 originals that are full of spontaneity yet are purposeful and use his keyboards creatively.
Eight of the selections have Bob Frye joined by bassist Craig Henry and either Roger Moreau or Dave Lewis on drums. The interplay between the musicians is quite inventive. The opening “Catalyst,” in 7/4 time, features Frye taking both a piano solo and a second spot on electric keyboards while Lewis' has drum breaks over the closing vamp. “Eleven Eleven” (which is not the time signature!) has an excited late night feel about it. “Equilateral” starts out with the time barely being kept. Frye plays fleet-fingered lines, Henry's bass offers relaxed commentary and Lewis' drums provide a very loose rhythm. It all works.
Continuing with the other trio numbers, “Twelve Twentyfour” has an urgent melody line that is answered by Frye's other keyboards. That basic idea continues throughout the piece even as the improvisations build. “Six Till Monk” is a cooker for the trio which gives the keyboardist an opportunity to jam over the hard-swinging bass and drums. Four minutes into the piece, the melody of Thelonious Monk's “Well You Needn't” makes a surprise appearance. “Smiles Of Miles” has the feel of a Miles Davis number from the 1970s. Beginning with Frye on Rhodes and acoustic pianos, then moving to B3 organ, his synth playing later in the piece is more reminiscent of Chick Corea. One could easily imagine Miles Davis jamming along with this piece. “Mister Modern” is also a fusionish piece that also recalls some of Davis' groove pieces, at least at first. After the piano and synth solo together, it becomes a rapid jazz waltz. “Miracle Child” is an episodic piece that explores a variety of sounds and moods.
Bob Frye's three unaccompanied piano solos are each memorable in their own way. The relatively brief “Your Moment Is Now” is a thoughtful ballad. “Before You Speak” is a folkish solo piece that recalls Keith Jarrett and perhaps George Winston a little, featuring some speechlike phrasing. The final number, the extensive “Gift From The Future,” is utterly fascinating as Frye creates a consistently intriguing improvisation that is quite unpredictable yet ultimately logical.
Bob Frye's Your Moment Is Now grows in interest with each listen. It is an impressive set full of surprises that is well worth experiencing.
Your Moment is Now is available on iTunes, CDBaby.com, and on Amazon.com.
Scott Yanow,
Author of ten books including Trumpet Kings, The Jazz Singers, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76
- Scott Yanow, Author of ten books including Trumpet Kings, The Jazz Singers, Jazz On Film and Jazz On
BOB FRYE TRIO
Your Moment Is Now
Many electric keyboardists treat the synthesizer and other keyboards as if they are merely electrified pianos. Bob Frye has a much deeper understanding of his instruments.
While earning a bachelors degree at the University of New York at Fredonia, and during Master’s studies at USCD in La Jolla, California, he spent a lot of time working in the schools' electronic music studios. Since then he has programmed sample libraries for many recording artists and manufacturers, been a Product Manager at Yamaha, and has produced commercial music, underscores and sound design for a large number of clients. Clearly he knows what synthesizers can do.
At the same time, Frye knows how to make music swing. He founded and led the San Diego-based fusion band Purl. And on the recording debut of his trio, Your Moment Is Now, he has created 11 originals that are full of spontaneity yet are purposeful and use his keyboards creatively.
Eight of the selections have Bob Frye joined by bassist Craig Henry and either Roger Moreau or Dave Lewis on drums. The interplay between the musicians is quite inventive. The opening “Catalyst,” in 7/4 time, features Frye taking both a piano solo and a second spot on electric keyboards while Lewis' has drum breaks over the closing vamp. “Eleven Eleven” (which is not the time signature!) has an excited late night feel about it. “Equilateral” starts out with the time barely being kept. Frye plays fleet-fingered lines, Henry's bass offers relaxed commentary and Lewis' drums provide a very loose rhythm. It all works.
Continuing with the other trio numbers, “Twelve Twentyfour” has an urgent melody line that is answered by Frye's other keyboards. That basic idea continues throughout the piece even as the improvisations build. “Six Till Monk” is a cooker for the trio which gives the keyboardist an opportunity to jam over the hard-swinging bass and drums. Four minutes into the piece, the melody of Thelonious Monk's “Well You Needn't” makes a surprise appearance. “Smiles Of Miles” has the feel of a Miles Davis number from the 1970s. The track begins with Frye on Rhodes and acoustic pianos, then moving to B3 organ, while his synth playing later in the piece is more reminiscent of Chick Corea. One could easily imagine Miles Davis jamming along with this piece. “Mister Modern” is also a fusionish piece that also recalls some of Davis' groove pieces, at least at first. After the piano and synth solo together, it becomes a rapid jazz waltz. “Miracle Child” is an episodic piece that explores a variety of sounds and moods.
Bob Frye's three unaccompanied piano solos are each memorable in their own way. The relatively brief “Your Moment Is Now” is a thoughtful ballad. “Before You Speak” is a folkish solo piece that recalls Keith Jarrett and perhaps George Winston a little, featuring some speechlike phrasing. The final number, the extensive “Gift From The Future,” is utterly fascinating as Frye creates a consistently intriguing improvisation that is quite unpredictable yet ultimately logical.
Bob Frye's Your Moment Is Now grows in interest with each listen. It is an impressive set full of surprises that is well experiencing.
Your Moment is Now is available on iTunes, CDBaby.com, and on Amazon.com.
Scott Yanow,
Author of ten books including Trumpet Kings, The Jazz Singers, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76
- Scott Yanow, Author of ten books including Trumpet Kings, The Jazz Singers, Jazz On Film and Jazz On
BOB FRYE TRIO
Your Moment Is Now
Many electric keyboardists treat the synthesizer and other keyboards as if they are merely electrified pianos. Bob Frye has a much deeper understanding of his instruments.
While earning a bachelors degree at the University of New York at Fredonia, and during Master’s studies at USCD in La Jolla, California, he spent a lot of time working in the schools' electronic music studios. Since then he has programmed sample libraries for many recording artists and manufacturers, been a Product Manager at Yamaha, and has produced commercial music, underscores and sound design for a large number of clients. Clearly he knows what synthesizers can do.
At the same time, Frye knows how to make music swing. He founded and led the San Diego-based fusion band Purl. And on the recording debut of his trio, Your Moment Is Now, he has created 11 originals that are full of spontaneity yet are purposeful and use his keyboards creatively.
Eight of the selections have Bob Frye joined by bassist Craig Henry and either Roger Moreau or Dave Lewis on drums. The interplay between the musicians is quite inventive. The opening “Catalyst,” in 7/4 time, features Frye taking both a piano solo and a second spot on electric keyboards while Lewis' has drum breaks over the closing vamp. “Eleven Eleven” (which is not the time signature!) has an excited late night feel about it. “Equilateral” starts out with the time barely being kept. Frye plays fleet-fingered lines, Henry's bass offers relaxed commentary and Lewis' drums provide a very loose rhythm. It all works.
Continuing with the other trio numbers, “Twelve Twentyfour” has an urgent melody line that is answered by Frye's other keyboards. That basic idea continues throughout the piece even as the improvisations build. “Six Till Monk” is a cooker for the trio which gives the keyboardist an opportunity to jam over the hard-swinging bass and drums. Four minutes into the piece, the melody of Thelonious Monk's “Well You Needn't” makes a surprise appearance. “Smiles Of Miles” has the feel of a Miles Davis number from the 1970s. The track begins with Frye on Rhodes and acoustic pianos, then moving to B3 organ, while his synth playing later in the piece is more reminiscent of Chick Corea. One could easily imagine Miles Davis jamming along with this piece. “Mister Modern” is also a fusionish piece that also recalls some of Davis' groove pieces, at least at first. After the piano and synth solo together, it becomes a rapid jazz waltz. “Miracle Child” is an episodic piece that explores a variety of sounds and moods.
Bob Frye's three unaccompanied piano solos are each memorable in their own way. The relatively brief “Your Moment Is Now” is a thoughtful ballad. “Before You Speak” is a folkish solo piece that recalls Keith Jarrett and perhaps George Winston a little, featuring some speechlike phrasing. The final number, the extensive “Gift From The Future,” is utterly fascinating as Frye creates a consistently intriguing improvisation that is quite unpredictable yet ultimately logical.
Bob Frye's Your Moment Is Now grows in interest with each listen. It is an impressive set full of surprises that is well experiencing.
Your Moment is Now is available on iTunes, CDBaby.com, and on Amazon.com.
Scott Yanow,
Author of ten books including Trumpet Kings, The Jazz Singers, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76
- Scott Yanow, Author of ten books including Trumpet Kings, The Jazz Singers, Jazz On Film and Jazz On
"An ear for the unique and the guts to take it to the edge"
“Finely crafted solo explorations, heartfelt and commanding”
"Wonderful facility and imagination"
"Dripping with evocative mood"
"Well conceived and delivered"
"Stunning improvisations" - Taxi Music Group
"An ear for the unique and the guts to take it to the edge"
“Finely crafted solo explorations, heartfelt and commanding”
"Wonderful facility and imagination"
"Dripping with evocative mood"
"Well conceived and delivered"
"Stunning improvisations" - Taxi Music Group
Discography
"Your Moment is Now", CD available on iTunes, CDBaby.com, and on Amazon.com.
"Everything You Always Were", CD available on iTunes and on CDBaby.com.
Photos
Bio
As founder of the San Diego jazz-fusion group "Purl," Bob appeared in concert with Jeff Lorber, Lee Ritenour, Airto & Floria Purim, Larry Carlton, Stephane Grappelli, Jaco Pastorious, and Seawind - performing original compositions as the opening act.
At UCSD, Bob studied jazz improvisation with the great jazz trombonist Jimmy Cheatham. He also studied music composition with Roger Reynolds, John Cage, and Pauline Olivieros while enrolled in the Master's program at USCD, in LaJolla, California. He worked extensively in the graduate Electronic Music Studio which featured a huge Buchla 200 series modular synthesizer and an equally large Moog Model III modular synthesizer.
As Product Manager for Yamaha, Bob worked closely with major performing and recording artists during the development and introduction of new musical synthesizers. He has produced commercial music, sound design, and underscores for various commercial clients, and has programmed voice and sample libraries for recording artists and major manufacturers.
Bob previously earned a Bachelors Degrees in Performance and Composition from the University of New York at Fredonia. Bob was one of the first to work in the schools electronic music studio that featured a then brand-new Moog Model III modular synthesizer, and in the school's 24 track music recording studio.
Bob has, for many years, performed in solo improvised jazz settings. He continues to perform solo piano gigs today.
In the Trio setting, Bob is joined with Patrick Lenon on drums and Doug Mattingly on Guitar.
Patrick is a native of Seattle, Washington. Throughout high school he gigged with rock, funk, jazz and reggae groups around the Seattle area. He went on to study classical and jazz percussion at Lewis & Clark college in Portland, Oregon, where he had the privilege of learning from some of the best working Jazz musicians in Oregon. Patrick's propulsive yet sensitive style of playing brings great energy to the trio, expanding the trio's vocabulary further into the jazz idiom.
The Bob Frye Trios first CD, Your Moment is Now is available on iTunes, CDBaby.com, and on Amazon.com.
Contact Information:
Email: bcfrye@earthlink.net
Band Members
Links
