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Where: Yardbird Suite
When: Friday, 9 p.m.
Tickets: $18 members, $22 guests, from Ticketmaster or at the door (1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca)
You've probably heard that old maxim for novelists, to "write what you know."
Bassist Kodi Hutchinson and pianist Chris Andrew followed similar sentiments in crafting their latest jazz trio recording Prairie Modern. The album is resplendent with tunes and atmospheres that evoke the Prairies, which is, after all, where Calgary's Hutchinson and Edmonton's Andrew grew up.
"It was an attempt to reflect that Prairie upbringing and the beauty of the Prairies in the music," Hutchinson explains.
He notes that jazz musicians often tend to make music geared to match the vibe of urban living, and argues that there's room for wider inspiration.
"We don't often embrace where we come from when we're trying to portray ourselves to the outside world. I wanted this album to proudly say, 'This is where we're from, this is what we are, and this is what our music is about.' "
Whether you pick up on it from track titles like The Realm, Prairie Wind, Wilds, or Beautiful Thorn, or from the pastoral spirit of the music itself, this is jazz that evokes wide-open spaces and a gentle but vital energy, created with a smart, contemporary approach. From the gentle, insistent piano pulse of the opening moments, Prairie Modern is a transcendent tribute to one's origins from three exceptional players and their guests.
It's been just over eight years now since the Hutchinson Andrew Trio (HAT) was born as an occasional collaboration between two of Alberta's busiest jazz players. Drummer Sandro Dominelli kept them company through the first six years or so and two notable albums, Lost But Not Forgotten (2004) and Music Box (2008). For the new disc they pulled in another busy Prairie son, drummer Karl Schwonik (raised near Wetaskiwin, currently based in Calgary).
"Chris and I had toured with Karl's projects about five times over the past three years so we spent a lot of time on the bandstand. Just about every time we play together Karl manages to throw a curve ball at me, and a lot of people have mentioned that we seem to have a psychic connection going on when we tend to turn left or right in sync."
It was Schwonik who helped the trio connect with much-in-demand New York saxophonist Donny McCaslin, who adds extra sizzle to six tracks on the album. Brazilian percussionist Rogerio Boccato also guests on three tunes, including Mintaka, one of several Latin grooves inspired by Andrew's past experience with bands like Bomba!
Andrew wrote most of the 13 original tunes, adding a short solo piano coda to the end. As the chief melodic player in the trio he puts in more of the gorgeous playing that fans now expect from this CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award Winner. All three trio members exhibit a level of expertise gained from supporting some of the top touring names to hit Alberta, when they aren't leading or co-leading projects of their own. The trio has also competed for the Galaxie Award at the Montreal International Jazz Festival and garnered WCMA nominations for both of their previous albums. - Roger Levesque - Edmonton Journal
Calgary musician Kodi Hutchinson ‘elated’ with award from Montreal Jazz Festival - Calgary Herald
The Hutchinson Andrew Trio is proof positive of the wide-ranging, genre-bending artistry happening north of the border. - Downbeat magazine
Discography
Released in March 2013 - "Prairie Modern". Features tracks with Grammy award-winning saxophonist Donny McCaslin and Brazilian percussion virtuoso Rogerio Boccato. The album was nominated for a WCMA for Jazz Recording of the Year and is the Downbeat magazine Editor's pick for July 2013.
Released sophomore album "Music Box" in January, 2008. The album was nominated for a WCMA in the Outstanding Jazz Recording category and was top 10 on jazz charts across Canada.
Released debut album "Lost but not forgotten" in February, 2005. The album garnered a 2006 Western Canadian Music Award Nomination for Outstanding Jazz Recording.
Photos
Bio
The Hutchinson Andrew Trio (HAT) is a unique voice in the Canadian jazz scene. Over the past 8 years this acoustic piano trio has brought their distinct sound to audiences throughout the globe. The HAT is comprised of award-winning bassist Kodi Hutchinson, CBC Galaxie Rising Star pianist Chris Andrew, and internationally acclaimed drummer Karl Schwonik. In July 2013, the HAT won the prestigious TD Grand Jazz Award at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the highest honour the festival gives. The group prevailed over 9 other ensembles in the competition and is invited back to perform on the mainstage once again in 2014!
HAT’s music merges their Prairie perspective with elements from contemporary swing, latin, odd-meter and acoustic groove. The group lists artists such as Robert Glasper, Terence Blanchard, Aaron Parks, and Brad Mehldau as some of their influences. Their music is representative of where they come from; the serenity and beauty of the Prairies and Rocky Mountains, alongside the excitement of the vibrant and growing young cities of the Canadian West.
2013 marks the release of their third album: ‘Prairie Modern’. Among the many accolades the album has received, it is a Downbeat magazine Editor’s Pick for July and is nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award (WCMA) in the Jazz Recording of the Year category! Prairie Modern features tracks with Grammy-winning saxophonist Donny McCaslin and Brazilian percussion virtuoso Rogerio Boccato. HAT will be touring nationally and internationally in 2013 & 2014 to promote the release.
Their debut album ‘Lost but not forgotten’, was top 10 on the Canadian jazz radio charts for over three months. In addition, CBC (national) Radio had the album on regular rotation and recorded them live to air at the inaugural Canmore International Jazz Festival. The album garnered a 2006 WCMA nomination in the Outstanding Jazz Recording category. HAT was joined on their sophomore album ‘Music Box’ by the renowned jazz saxophonist Ralph Bowen. ‘Music Box’ was released in January 2008 and also had great success on jazz charts across Canada. The disc earned another WCMA nomination for HAT in 2008 for Outstanding Jazz Recording. Following the release in 2008, HAT was invited to perform on the mainstage of the 2007 Montreal International Jazz Festival.
A regular fixture in the Canadian jazz scene, HAT has performed for enthusiastic audiences at events such as the Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria, Ottawa, Medicine Hat, Calgary, Canmore and Yardbird Jazz Festivals. They were; featured as part of Alberta House at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Andrew represented Alberta performing at the 2012 London Olympics, and have been featured as part of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Alberta Music, and Chronograph Records compilation albums. In addition to headlining numerous concert series and prominent live venues / jazz clubs, the group has opened for Monty Alexander, and have performed alongside sax legend Lee Konitz.
Chris Andrew - Piano
Since graduating from Grant MacEwan College in 1990, Chris has become a key player in the Alberta music scene. His musical diversity can be seen through his numerous performances over the years in genres such as jazz, funk, pop, latin, and musical theatre. He has studied in Cuba and has toured across Canada countless times in a number of bands with various musical styles.
Although well known as a jazz educator in Alberta, Chris is best known for his ability to play. In the jazz vein, Chris’ resume lists a veritable who’s who of jazz. Chris has performed with Joshua Redman, Sonny Fortune, Bud Shank, Pete Christlieb, Joe LaBarbera, P.J. Perry, Kirk MacDonald, Paquito D’Rivera, Brad Turner, and Steve Wallace, just to name some highlights. Locally, Chris has performed or recorded with numerous well-known groups including The Jump Orchestra, Maracujah, Bomba, Kelly Allana, Tim Tamashiro, The Swinging Bovines, The Edmonton Symphony, Phatty, and The Devoties. Chris has was honoured with the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award for his virtuosic talent at the National Jazz Awards, and was named one of Edmonton’s ‘Top 40 Under 40’ for 2010 by Avenue magazine.
Kodi Hutchinson - Double Bass
One of the most active musicians in Western Canada, double bassist Kodi Hutchinson is man who wears many hats. As well as running his own musical group the ‘Hutchinson Andrew Trio’ and record label Chronograph Records, Kodi is a sought after side-man on both double and electric bass.
Described by those who know him as creative, introspective and just a happy-go-lucky guy, Kodi started his musical career in jazz while attending the University of Calgary. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Commerce in 1995, but followed his true passion and jumped into playing music full-time shortly thereafter. Since those early beginnings, Kodi has established himself as one of the top call bassists in Alberta. He has worked with artists such as P.J. Perry,
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