Magpel Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Happenstance, I saw the John Stetch trio while roaming around the Montreal Jazz festival this week. Day-um. You will like this if you like some hyper-arranged piano trio music (some of it reminded me of Bela Fleck or the Dixie Dregs with its compressed, very eventful arrangements and kind of ADHD disjunctions, and virtuosic playing across the board.) There's also a well integrated sense of European serious music, which I also like, ala Bill Evans and Debussy. Yeah, hot, high-energy but pretty brainy sh*t. Quick Googling tells me the cat is a known commodity. I was impressed and will use Rhapsody to hear some more tomorrow. Anyone know/know of John Stetch? Check out the Sweet Clementines CD at bandcamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrhudson Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Absolutely - back in high school in Edmonton, I lucked out and was able to get a lesson from him as he was passing through the area (a band director knew him). Actually, I also played in a Ukrainian wedding band in high school/university (decent $ gig), and apparently he passed through that "chair" himself at a younger age (he's from edmonton). He actually made an album that centered on Ukrainian musical themes, if I'm not mistaken - pretty good stuff also. So, I've definitely checked out some of his music - very, very cool stuff. I actually hadn't listened to much of his stuff recently, and came across an album a few months ago that he made based on tv themes - so, a jazz version of the star trek theme, etc. I would definitely agree that there is, as you said, a hyper-intellectualism to the music but not so out there that it becomes hard to enjoy - but there are some concept type albums of his. Anyway, I like his stuff - second your vote! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tusker Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Thanks for the heads up Magpel! Found this video ... [video:youtube]E9wHGIuvO8M I am hearing some tasty Claude Bolling and Thelonius Monk in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magpel Posted July 11, 2009 Author Share Posted July 11, 2009 Cool! Disappointed to report that Rhapsody has zero John Stetch in its catalog--which is rare, because modern jazz and Indie artists are usually so vigorous about getting their stuff available through all channels. I'll try some Youtube now... Check out the Sweet Clementines CD at bandcamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magpel Posted July 11, 2009 Author Share Posted July 11, 2009 Hey, here's a nice vid from a recent trio show in nearby Ithaca--this was the bass player I saw him with but different drummer. It illustrates the almost through-composed nature of what he does, and the rapid rate of change, which I consider a kind of tempo--not bpm but the speed at which a composition moves through its changes and formal elements. He might even be called a little skittish. Check out the Sweet Clementines CD at bandcamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJUSCULE Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Yes, he's quite the player. Interesting fact about him, though, is that he was a clarinet and saxophone player until his second year of college, when he decided to take up piano seriously. Eric Website Gear page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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