Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
E4 MOVIE ANNOUCEMENT
(Halifax, NS) – Farmhouse Productions, the Halifax-based film production company and creators of “Air Guitar in Oulu” documentary which airs on Bravo TV in December, are busy putting the finishing touches a concert film entitled “E4”. Filmed at the 2003 Evolve Music and Awareness Festival, “E4,” features performances and interviews with Chris Brown and Kate Fenner, Luther Wright and the Wrongs, The Wassabi Collective, Grand Theft Bus, DJ Mark Farina, Halfway Tree Roots Reggae, Blue Quarter, High Plains Drifter, Booty Juice, The Jimmy Swift Band, Hot Toddy, Medeski Martin and Wood and many more. The Evolve film encapsulates the festival experience and performances at Canada’s Largest Youth Culture and Social Awareness Festival. The Annual Evolve Music and Awareness Festival is a non-corporate sponsored, grassroots and community based celebration of life and music in Sunflower Valley, Antigonish County, Nova Scotia, Canada. Evolve seamlessly meshes the thriving Canadian Grassroots Rock, North American Improvisational Jazz-Rock/Jam live band scene, the Americana Roots scene and the exploding DJ/Rave culture over 3 hot summer days in August. Bringing diverse family of music lovers and socially active individuals together to celebrate together for a weekend of live and electronic music, The EVOVE Festival is highlighted with interactive workshops and demonstrations of sustainable, peaceful, harmonious living. Evolve is truly a unique, intimate and community based concert experience. - Farmhouse Productions
High Plains Drifter burst forth on the jam scene like an elephant busting a nut across the Serengeti. This is a solid, concise and well produced debut. HPD is led by funk inflected guitar of the media savvy Jay Cleary who was once part of hard working ‘Aaron MacDonald Band’. Mixing jam grooves with wild world rhythms HPD has begat a new and exciting combination; somewhat like soft taffy lost in an old lady's hair.
Opening with the extremely catchy 'Ron's Requiem' HPD displays both their talent, their experience and there fresh approach to the jam scene. Ashley Chambers is well versed in the rhythms needed to make the HPD experience authentic and James Dalzell fingers the piano with soul as thick as Lanny Macdonald's moustache.
“Well we wanted our JAMS to be... to be more like JELLY," says bassist Carl Laudadio, "We wanted it all to quiver with the heft of a full young breast." Well baby, the beats are tight, the grooves kicking, the soul is as slick as new phlegm and the musicianship alive. The sax sounds of Nick Fisher on this album are another highlight. ‘Funky Zucchini’s melody line which will have patrons lining up for this sassy garden staple and the extra performance tracks… well fans will want to check out the HPD live show soon. These cats are here to make you groove like a vegematic. Pick it up.
- Stephen Richardson, The Coast
High Plains Drifter did a feel-good sunny afternoon performance at Evolve 4, interplaying Santana guitar riffs, funky saxophone and sparkling piano.
- by Kate Holloway, Jambands.ca/Relix Mag
Discography
•High Plains Drifter Live Sampler EP, (Independent) 2003
•High Plains Drifter "Thirteen Cents" (FACTOR/Independent) 2004
*Live ALIVE: High Plains Drifter at Evolve Festival '03 (Web release)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
High Plains Drifter is a jazz-funk & world beat ensemble, whose live performances are captivating audiences across Canada. Leaning towards original jazz, house and reggae, High Plains Drifter is a groove force that keeps bodies in constant motion as they explore Latin rhythms, funk breakdowns and full blown ambient grooves.
Comprised of five musicians who joined forces while studying at St. FX University's jazz program the band is Jay Cleary (electric guitar, vocals), Ashley Chalmers (percussion), James Dalzell (keyboards), Nick Fisher (saxophones) and Carl Laudadio (bass, vocals). High Plains Drifter draws inspiration from artists as diverse as Sonny Rollins, Maceo Parker, Taj Mahal, The Meters, Herbie Hancock and DJ Shadow. HPD's live show is comprised of a very danceable sound, a style of music that represent the evolution of jazz expanded into today's multi-cultural youth culture.
Highs Plains Drifter is fresh on the scene and building momentum as they continue to share their energy for music and celebration. Known to always have a few surprises up their sleeve, the band has enjoyed collaborating with a number of Atlantic Canadian musicians including singers, horn players, percussionists and turn-tablists.
During their hectic schedule across Atlantic Canada this summer, High Plains Drifter shared the stage with Hot Toddy, The Jimmy Swift Band, Medeski Martin and Wood, Luther Wright and the Wrongs, The Wassabi Collective, Nero, The Burt Neilson Band and Afromusica to name a few. High Plains Drifter performed at The Atlantic Jazz Festival, Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, The Spring Shaker, The Evolve Music and Awareness Festival, East Coast Music Awards, Nova Scotia Music Week and at venues across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI.
In 2002 HPD was awarded a FACTOR recording grant to record their debut EP "Thirteen Cents". Recorded at Red Fish Audio studios in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia with engineer/producer James R. Shaw (Wintersleep, Heavy Meadows), the CD contains five engaging original instrumental compositions, which showcase a strong performance energy and some mind-blowing spontaneous improvisations from some of Atlantic Canada hottest new talent.
High Plains Drifter will be seen on tour in 2005 to promote their new CD at venues and festivals across Canada.
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