Biography
“Cutting edge from start to finish, even when tackling some well known funk, this set of mostly group written originals succeeds in pushing the envelope in the tradition of the best progressive jazz in contemporary times no matter what freak flag it flies under. Anyone who's dug progressive jazz in the past has something new to look forward to.”
~ Midwest Record Recap
“Bottom line: few fusion groups can compete with such jazz-oriented diversity. The trio of singers, scat-savvy Sfraga, Mala Waldron (Mal's daughter) who doubles on keyboards, and Thompson doubling on percussion, bark out phrases with the bite of a brass section, and Barbara's soprano cuts through massed sonorities like a laser. On "Be There," tenorist Allen Won adds his horn to the vocal blend, creating four-note chords while the feeling of 3-against-4 pervades the track. On the title tune, Sfraga and her fearless 'voicists' swing in 5/4 as Won's soprano sax weaves soothing obligati. Sfraga's high, thin voice has no difficulty coping with her own wordiness on "Cool Water;" the lyrics are crystal clear. Kudos to Christopher Sullivan for choosing acoustic bass to get that distinctive growl.” ~ Jazz Times Magazine
A favorite of critics and fans alike, The Timelessness Project's NEW mixed-media venture "Timelessnessity" features the ensemble's creative sounds and original compositions intertwined with the ‘journeyart’ of Barbara Sfraga, and the evocative photography of Barbara Sfraga, Michael T.A. Thompson & Mala Waldron.
Since Barbara was gifted with 12 songs from songwriting team: ‘soundrhythium’ Michael T.A. Thompson and triple-threat pianist/vocalist/songwriter Mala Waldron in 2003, The Timelessness Project has expanded it’s writing process to the complete group, which reflects on their 2006 release Timelessness Frozen in Time. The recording features their original compositions, while the cover art is adorned with drawings by Barbara composed at the mixing session.
The Timelessness Project’s let-it-flow way of being and constant evolution inspired Barbara’s 2006 book, The Subway Series: A Book of Drawings Sprinkled with Words. Some of the Words referred to in the title are the ensemble’s lyrics from Timelessness Frozen in Time. The effortless flow of all this creativity led to Barbara’s murals on Sullivan’s bass and T.A.’s drums, which in turn naturally led to the Timelessnessity mixed-media venture.
HOW IT ALL CAME TOGETHER...
Described as consistently inventive (Billboard), a master of bold interpretation (Jazz Times), jazz singing at its cutting edge best (LA Times), Barbara Sfraga has been on a musical journey that evolved from church organist to ‘voicist’.
In 1989, ‘bass artisan’ Christopher Dean Sullivan met kindred spirit ‘soundrhythium’ Michael T.A. Thompson and collaborated to form "Center Search Quest", offering some of the most fun, unbridled jazz you'll ever hear. "Center Search Quest" is just that: a search for the center of sound and vibration. This ensemble taps into each other's spirit in such a way that their improvisations become spontaneous compositions. When they ultimately fall into a tune, it's a purely organic occurrence. All walls are down, everything is up for grabs and anything can happen.
Barbara stepped into 'The Quest' in 2002, after hearing Chris and T.A. perform at Harlem's Lenox Lounge Monday night sessions. Barbara instantly knew she had found her kindred sprits, and the three embarked on yet another odyssey. Throughout the course of the next 2 years they collaborated ("bassdrums'n'voicethang"), performing some of Barbara's originals as well as their unconventional arrangements of jazz and pop standards. During that time, T.A. made a comment to Barbara that what she needed to do next, was an all-original project. Although she had a few of her originals sprinkled throughout her previous two recordings (“Oh, What a Thrill”, Naxos Jazz and “Under the Moon”, A440 Music Group) she was more known for her unconventional twists on jazz and pop standards ('pops-terdizing' jazz and 'jazz-terdizing' pop...)
In 2003, T.A. and 'triple threat' pianist/vocalist/songwriter Mala Waldron began a writing collaboration. Both had been writing for their own projects, and after being commissioned to write material for another musician, they realized they had a distinct writing chemistry and decided to expand that toward writing for other artists. Shortly thereafter, they surprised Barbara with material they had written expressly for her, with the invitation to write lyrics to any of the tunes she resonated with. That gift put this present journey into motion. Soon after, the unit began regularly writing together toward what would become "The Timelessness Project". Mala Waldron (who has her own ensemble: "The Mala Waldron Group") officially joined the unit in the summer of 2004. Her much awaited first U.S. recording, the critically acclaimed "Always There", features nine of Mala's originals and was released in 2006.
Multi-reedist Allen Won came on board shortly after that. A master of jazz and classical genres, Allen taps into the core of the music, adapting to each situation in a very personal way. This is what Barbara and T.A. heard when they happened upon Allen at a festival where they were all performing. T.A. suddenly realized he worked with Allen some time back and it all made sense. They then knew he was that missing piece of the puzzle - the perfect fit. This all unfolded so organically, which also describes the effortless way the music, evolves. Allen is also a gifted composer who leads his own group, and released his stunning debut CD: "The Jewel in the Lotus" in 2004.
In this unique and diverse collaboration, "The Timelessness Project" is genre-bending its way to a whole new sound. With roots firmly planted in jazz and with the improvisational element always in place, the ensemble is on a quest to leave no groove unturned. All five musicians lend their creative -- as well as their physical -- voices to this project in three part harmony, with a little spoken word thrown into the pot. It's 'music without borders'. "Timelessness Frozen in Time" (SyncTimiCity Productions STC 2602) features mostly their original material. They sprinkle their live performances with a few boldly arranged, yet familiar surprises.
The "Timlessnessity" mixed media production is their latest incarnation as this ever-evolving ensemble continues moving forward.
Instrumentation
Voicist Barbara Sfraga (vocals)
Bass Artisan Christopher Dean Sullivan (acoustic & electric basses, words, sounds)
Soundrhythium Michael "T.A" Thompson (drums, percussion, vocal and rhythmic vibrations)
Pianist/Keyboardist/Vocalist Mala Waldron (keys and vocals)
Multi-reedist Allen Won (saxophones and flutes)
Discography
Barbara Sfraga & Center Search Quest, "Timelessness Frozen in Time", street date: September 5, 2006
Barbara Sfraga, "Under The Moon", A440 Music Group, #4025, 2003
Barbara Sfraga, "Oh, What A Thrill", Naxos Jazz #86047, 1999
Christopher Dean Sullivan and Michael "T.A." Thompson with Joe Giardulo, "Language of Swans", Drimala, #DR02-347-05, 2002
Allen Won, "Jewel in the Lotus", 2004
Mala Waldron, "Always There", Soulful Sound Music, SS22241, street date, March 15, 2006
Links
| http://www.myspace.com/barbarasfragaandcentersearchquest |