Acoustic Alchemy, Monday, July 2
Acoustic Alchemy
Monday, July 2
Kuumbwa Jazz
Sponsored by Smoothjazz.com
“…killer melodies and grooves…” – jazzmonthly.com
The story of Acoustic Alchemy has always been about innovation and adaptability. In the nearly 25 years since their first recording, the UK-based group has crafted a sound that maximizes the potential of not only the acoustic guitar but also its electric counterpart – and in so doing they’ve explored the subtle corners where jazz, pop, world music and other genres intersect. Along the way – with the help of a massive worldwide following created by consistent touring – they’ve weathered personal setbacks, dramatic shifts in musical trends, and in recent years, sweeping changes in the music industry.
Greg Carmichael and Miles Gilderdale head-up the current version of the ensemble. The two guitarists are energetically backed by the exceptional rhythm section support of Fred White on keyboards; Gary Grainger on bass; and Gary’s brother Greg Grainger on drums. Roseland, a 13-track recording is the title of Acoustic Alchemy’s latest recording, released September 27, 2011 on the Heads Up label.
Roseland was recorded in Gilderdale’s newly constructed home studio in York, England, a place where the band could be creative without the pressure of a ticking clock. “We used the studio as a place to write,” says Carmichael. “We would just throw ideas at each other. You try things as you go along. That’s the beauty of having your own studio. You can try an electric guitar solo here, a steel-string solo there, a trombone solo somewhere else, whatever you like. It may have taken us a little longer, but if something didn’t work, it didn’t matter. We just tried things until we found what did work.”
The roots of Acoustic Alchemy stretch back to 1981 with the original members, Nick Webb and Simon James, performing mainly as a duo. But, it wasn’t until the 1987 record release of Red Dust & Spanish Lace – after Greg Carmichael had replaced Simon James – that Acoustic Alchemy really established itself on the contemporary jazz scene. When Nick Webb passed away, in 1998, Miles Gilderdale became Greg’s new musical partner. Musically, the band his been a chameleon of sorts over the years. From folk to straight-ahead jazz (albeit a cover of Dave Brubeck’s Take Five), to funky fusion and Caribbean reggae romps, or soulful pop, each CD has reflected a change of musical direction to focus on a different genre. The one thing that hasn’t changed is the band’s absolute dedication to making great music.
“For a lot of people, instrumental music is just a sound that plays in the background,” says Carmichael. “But we put a lot into it – not just with this record but with every record we’ve ever made. I’d like to think that after all these years, we’ve learned how to take people on a journey. A lot of our fans have said that we do that for them. As long as they keep coming back, and as long as they want to stay on that journey, we’ll keep doing what we’re doing.”
Downloadable Images, Profile, Press Release & Album Art Available At:
http://mediakits.concordmusicgroup.com/33247/
CALENDAR INFO
Acoustic Alchemy
DATE: Monday, July 2, 2012
PLACE: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
ADDRESS: 320 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
TIMES: 7:00 and 9:00 PM
PRICE: $25/Adv $28/Door, No Jazztix or Comps
TICKETS: Logos Books & Records, 1117 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz (831) 427-5100 and online at: http://www.kuumbwajazz.org
MORE INFO: http://www.kuumbwajazz.org or 831-427-2227
Media contact:
Kelly Johanns-DiCillo
Kelly.johanns@concordmusicgroup.com
(216) 765-7381 x2470
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