Great new album of modern jazz originals featuring some of Australia’s great musicians, taking inspiration from the classic recordings of John Coltrane, Keith Jarrett and John Scofield.
This is Tim’s debut as leader and he is an accomplished pianist and composer. His credits include work with Bernie McGann, James Morrison, Monica Trapaga, Miroslav Bukovsky, Carl Orr, Bruce Cale, Guy LeClaire Max Sharam, Delilah, James Muller and many more. As for his featured musicians, collectively they have played, toured and recorded with a virtual who’s who of jazz such as Mike Nock, Vince Jones, to divas like Katie Noonan, Wendy Matthews.
“This CD is representative of many of the styles I'm interested in, from the passionate Modal style of Coltrane's classic quartet to the expressive, lyrical approach of Jarrett's European quartet, to Scofield's R&B influenced and groove based bands,” Tim says. “I like to write pieces that are both contemporary and accessible, and that have a healthy balance of composition and improvisation, allowing for plenty of creative interaction.”
Tim has chosen some of his favourite artists for this album. The long standing partnership between Hirst and Barker is obvious, as they provide a robust, yet flexible, always creative accompaniment. Coffin's soulful, muscular tenor sax contributes just the right balance of beauty and brawn to the band.
With this beautifully recorded album of original jazz stylings, the Tim Bruer Quartet shows once again the emerging creative talents on the scene in Australia today.
Tim Bruer – Piano
Sean Coffin – Saxophone
Brett Hirst – Bass
Simon Barker – Drums
Like John
This song was inspired by the modal tunes in 3/4 that John Coltrane played in his classic quartet.
Euroscape
I wanted to write a slow piece in a “minor mood”. When I came up with the first part, I got an image of being on the road in Europe.
Black and Gold
An African influenced piece. The title is intended to reflect the African heritage in jazz, and how valuable it’s been to the music.
In The Mode
I wanted to write something in D minor with a swing feel, and incorporate a latin feel in the bridge. The title, like some of the others, has two sides to it (I’ll let the reader work that out).
The Gift
Was inspired by the kinds of slow, expressive latin pieces that Keith Jarrett plays. The title refers to the fact that the first part came out in one go and was like a gift.
Plastic Elastic
A funk tune of Paul Grabowsky’s influenced me here. I wanted something that was based on an a simple earthy groove, but that also had some harmonic sophistication.
Song For Janne
After promising my wife Janne for 23 years that I’d write a song for her, I finally got around to it. It was written a number of years after “The Gift”, but feels like a companion piece to it.
Another Wrinkle
After hearing Larry Goldings play a groove based arrangement of a Stevie Wonder song I was inspired to write something similar, but I wanted to make it a little quirky. The title reflects this as well as the effect of aging which is all too apparent when we look in the mirror sometimes!
Tim’s Blues
A Blues in a contemporary style. I wanted the melody section in this piece to have a bit more than just the classic 12 bar form, so I added a bridge.
Slinky
This tune was inspired by a John Scofield song. Though essentially a funk piece, in the solo sections it also incorporates latin and swing feels.
“Tim Bruer’s debut CD features great performances from his all-star quartet in a program of well crafted modern jazz originals. An enjoyable romp through the contemporary musical landscape.”
– MIKE NOCK
visit the Tim Bruer page at Labrava Music
