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Simon Tedeschi + Ian Cooper
New CD Release and Tour
MEDIA RELEASE
14th July 2009
Bach-inspired jazz and Latin-grooved Beethoven? Classical piano maestro Simon Tedeschi and virtuoso jazz violinist Ian Cooper are at it again with a new CD release and performances in Melbourne, Sydney, Griffith and Canberra: 1 – 9 October 2009.
"Putting Tedeschi and Cooper together is like mixing nitro with glycerin - an explosion of musical virtuosity!" (James Morrison).
Inspirational pianistic talents meets wild abandon and gypsy jazz when Simon Tedeschi and Ian Cooper team up again for an eastern seaboard tour and new CD release.
In a musical partnership known for its fine balance of technical ability and free expression, Tedeschi and Cooper will perform works from their soon-to-be-released second CD, entitled Simon Tedeschi + Ian Cooper Quintet, in a tour of four concerts in October - Melbourne (1 October), Sydney (7 October), Canberra (8 October) and Griffith (9 October).
Primarily featuring jazz-based repertoire, the disc showcases the best of both their genres - classical and jazz. The Baroque chorale introduction to ‘All The Things You Are’ is inspired by the unsurpassed musical language of Bach. Ian’s specialty - gypsy jazz - is pushed to the fore with ‘Tchavolo Swing’ and the musicians pay homage to jazz greats in such pieces as ‘Round Midnight’ and ‘Body and Soul’.
“When I play with Simon I’m always thinking about how do we best tie classical and jazz music together? We've given the well known Jerome Kern tune ‘All The Things You Are’ a ‘Bach-ish fugue treatment’ and Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, a rich Latin groove,” said Ian Cooper.
“Coming from a classically-trained background, I’ve now been performing jazz for years and relish the opportunity to partner with musicians of Ian’s calibre, who bring such a sense of musical freedom in performance,” said Simon Tedeschi.
“Writing for Simon actually develops bad habits, because he can play absolutely anything on the page in front of him. I pity the next pianist I have to write for!” added Cooper.
Working with the best rhythm section in Australia, this CD features Australian jazz legend James Morrison, on trumpet & trombone.
“Recording a disc such as this with elite musicians allows us the opportunity to create musical arrangements and improvise with such vivacity and playfulness that we end up with a fine balance between surprise and familiarity in the repertoire,” said Tedeschi.
“Jazz is all about ensemble playing. On this CD, sometimes we play something that's been thoughtfully constructed, but there are times where we just go for it, allowing the spontaneity to take over and play what we instinctively feel,” said Cooper.
Produced by Cooper and Tedeschi, this album was recorded at the new, state-of-the-art James Morrison Studios.
MEDIA: Please contact Prue Vercoe at TJC, 02 8904 0822, 0410 541 663, prue@tjc.com.au
SIMON TEDESCHI + IAN COOPER ‘IN CONCERT’
Simon Tedeschi – Piano
Ian Cooper – Violin
James Muller – Guitar
Brendan Clark – Double Bass
Andrew Dickeson – Drums
MELBOURNE, VIC: Thursday 1 October – 9pm
Bennetts Lane (25 Bennetts Lane, Melbourne)
Ph: (03)
9663 2856,
www.bennettslane.com
Tickets: Adult $25, Concession $20
SYDNEY, NSW: Wednesday 7 October – 9pm
The Basement (29 Reiby Place, Circular Quay)
Ph: (02) 9251 2797, www.thebasement.com.au
Tickets: Adult $25
CANBERRA, ACT: Thursday 8 October – 8:30pm
Southern Cross Club (92-96 Corinna St, Woden)
Ph: (02) 6283 7200, www.cscc.com.au
Tickets: Adult $25
GRIFFITH, NSW: Friday 9 October – 7:30pm
Griffith Regional Theatre (1 Neville Place, Griffith)
Ph: (02) 6962 8444, www.griffithregionaltheatre.com.au
Tickets: Adult $42.50
SIMON TEDESCHI + IAN COOPER QUINTET
Track list:
1. Tchavolo Swing (Tchavolo Schmitt)
2. All The Things You Are (Jerome Kern, arr. Ian Cooper)
3. Perdido (Juan Tizol, arr. Ian Cooper)
4. Beethoven’s 5th Salsa (Beethoven, arr. Ian Cooper, adapted from an arrangement by Randy Waldman)
5. Body And Soul (Johnny Green, arr. Evan Lohning)
6. I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me (Jimmy McHugh, arr. Evan Lohning)
7. Donna Lee (Charlie Parker, arr. Ian Cooper, adapted from an arrangement by Marty Paich)
8. Jordu (Duke Jordan)
9. Round Midnight (Cootie Williams & Thelonius Monk, arr. By Evan Lohning)
10. Tea For Two (Irving Caesar & Vincent Youmans)
11. It Had To Be You (Isham Jones)
12. Tricotism (Oscar Pettiford)
13. Walkin (Miles Davis, arr. By Evan Lohning)