ANDRE CANNIERE
Pennsylvania born, London based trumpeter, Andre Canniere is now an established name on the UK scene. With the release a new album, The Darkening Blue, his third for Whirlwind Recordings, Canniere takes a step away from his work on his previous recordings delving into the poetry of Bohemian-Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke and American author Charles Bukowski.
The Darkening Blue is a sextet project which reaches into the heart of Stephen Mitchell’s insightful translations of Rilke, some of which are conveyed by one of UK jazz’s most expressive vocalists, Brigitte Beraha. There are instrumentally diverse interpretations, too, of Bukowski’s writings, which are illuminated throughout by Tori Freestone (tenor sax), Ivo Neame (piano, keyboards, accordion), Michael Janisch (acoustic/electric bass) and Ted Poor (drums) of which Andre is justifiably proud, saying “These are great musicians who intuitively ‘bring their thing’ to my compositions, which is what I love; and I’ve been crazy about the work of Rilke and Bukowski for some time – it can affect people in many different ways. So if I can turn listeners onto some great poetry, introducing them to something in addition to the music, then that’s great.”
Of his top ten favourite albums, Andre says:
The Darkening Blue is a sextet project which reaches into the heart of Stephen Mitchell’s insightful translations of Rilke, some of which are conveyed by one of UK jazz’s most expressive vocalists, Brigitte Beraha. There are instrumentally diverse interpretations, too, of Bukowski’s writings, which are illuminated throughout by Tori Freestone (tenor sax), Ivo Neame (piano, keyboards, accordion), Michael Janisch (acoustic/electric bass) and Ted Poor (drums) of which Andre is justifiably proud, saying “These are great musicians who intuitively ‘bring their thing’ to my compositions, which is what I love; and I’ve been crazy about the work of Rilke and Bukowski for some time – it can affect people in many different ways. So if I can turn listeners onto some great poetry, introducing them to something in addition to the music, then that’s great.”
Of his top ten favourite albums, Andre says:
MILES DAVIS - Nefertiti
Perhaps not the most obvious choice from his vast catalog but if I had to pick one, this would be it. It has some of my favorite, most melodically inventive Wayne Shorter tunes and in my opinion, Miles at his best as an improviser. The way Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams play on this record could be a method of study for any rhythm section!
KENNY GARRETT - Triology
This album was on constant repeat around the time I left high school and started college (I could still probably sing through all the solos note for note)! Garrett's energetic, hard-hitting style had a big influence on the way I wanted to play jazz at that age. For me, this is one of the all time great jazz trio albums.
WYNTON MARSALIS - Black Codes from the Underground
I found my way to this album via Kenny Garrett's Triology - the first tune on that album is 'Delfeayo's Dilema' which I wanted to learn but was having trouble hearing the chord progression. Some years later a college friend turned me on to Black Codes and I was excited to see that tune on the album - I finally got the harmony down from what Kenny Kirkland was playing (added bonus, the key changes for each soloist)! It's a moody and mesmerizing album, the best thing Wynton has done if you ask me.
Perhaps not the most obvious choice from his vast catalog but if I had to pick one, this would be it. It has some of my favorite, most melodically inventive Wayne Shorter tunes and in my opinion, Miles at his best as an improviser. The way Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams play on this record could be a method of study for any rhythm section!
KENNY GARRETT - Triology
This album was on constant repeat around the time I left high school and started college (I could still probably sing through all the solos note for note)! Garrett's energetic, hard-hitting style had a big influence on the way I wanted to play jazz at that age. For me, this is one of the all time great jazz trio albums.
WYNTON MARSALIS - Black Codes from the Underground
I found my way to this album via Kenny Garrett's Triology - the first tune on that album is 'Delfeayo's Dilema' which I wanted to learn but was having trouble hearing the chord progression. Some years later a college friend turned me on to Black Codes and I was excited to see that tune on the album - I finally got the harmony down from what Kenny Kirkland was playing (added bonus, the key changes for each soloist)! It's a moody and mesmerizing album, the best thing Wynton has done if you ask me.
DAVE DOUGLAS - Soul on Soul
When I first saw Dave Douglas on the cover of a DownBeat magazine in the early 2000s, I'm embarrassed to say I had no idea who he was! My good friend, a drummer who had left college and moved to Philadelphia (whose musical recommendations were impeccable!) said I needed to check him out. This was the first record I got, and I was blown away. It's a tribute to Mary Lou Williams and Dave's writing on this album had a huge influence on me compositionally.
CUONG VU - It's Mostly Residual
I had been listening to Cuong Vu for a few years in his own bands and also with Chris Speed and Yeah No. I always thought what he was doing really fresh and interesting, and as a trumpet player, completely different to what anyone else had ever done. This album is stunningly beautiful - it's his regular trio with Stomu Takeishi and Ted Poor with Bill Frisell guesting.
When I first saw Dave Douglas on the cover of a DownBeat magazine in the early 2000s, I'm embarrassed to say I had no idea who he was! My good friend, a drummer who had left college and moved to Philadelphia (whose musical recommendations were impeccable!) said I needed to check him out. This was the first record I got, and I was blown away. It's a tribute to Mary Lou Williams and Dave's writing on this album had a huge influence on me compositionally.
CUONG VU - It's Mostly Residual
I had been listening to Cuong Vu for a few years in his own bands and also with Chris Speed and Yeah No. I always thought what he was doing really fresh and interesting, and as a trumpet player, completely different to what anyone else had ever done. This album is stunningly beautiful - it's his regular trio with Stomu Takeishi and Ted Poor with Bill Frisell guesting.
MARIA SCHNEIDER - Coming About
Maria has written so many great albums, but this album was my introduction to her music and I still rate it as one of her best. It's cliche to say her writing is lush - there's so much more to it than that. There's a lot of edge in her music too. In terms of writing, orchestration and improvising, this album is a masterpiece - some of the richest and most colorful music I've ever heard.
LEONARD BERNSTEIN WITH CHICAGO SYMPHONY - Shostakovich Symphony 1 & 7
Shostakovich has always been one of my favorite 'classical' composers. I did a harmonic analysis of Symphony 1 in a jazz arranging class and this is the recording I ended up buying as a result. Symphony 7 is an epic work of art. The brass at the end is some of the loudest, most awe-inspiring I have ever heard! I still get chills down my spine when I hear this.
Maria has written so many great albums, but this album was my introduction to her music and I still rate it as one of her best. It's cliche to say her writing is lush - there's so much more to it than that. There's a lot of edge in her music too. In terms of writing, orchestration and improvising, this album is a masterpiece - some of the richest and most colorful music I've ever heard.
LEONARD BERNSTEIN WITH CHICAGO SYMPHONY - Shostakovich Symphony 1 & 7
Shostakovich has always been one of my favorite 'classical' composers. I did a harmonic analysis of Symphony 1 in a jazz arranging class and this is the recording I ended up buying as a result. Symphony 7 is an epic work of art. The brass at the end is some of the loudest, most awe-inspiring I have ever heard! I still get chills down my spine when I hear this.
JONI MITCHELL - Turbulent Indigo
I knew I was going to include a Joni Mitchell album on this list and picking just one was very difficult... I love the later Joni albums; the gravel in her voice embodies a sense of life reflections and wisdom which she imparts so poetically. There is some truly stunning playing by Wayne Shorter on this album too.
GILLIAN WELCH - Time (The Revelator)
I was first introduced to the music of Gillian Welch by a roommate when I was living in Brooklyn, NY (during what was a bit of a soul-searching period for me). I'm a huge fan of all her stuff, but this one has a special place in my heart. The music is dark, intelligent, sincere and timeless.
JEFF BUCKLEY - Grace
What a songwriter. I've always thought it would be fun to do a cover version of this album... He is an incredible guitar player and his singing always reminded me of Miles Davis - the way he phrased, the note choices, the intensity. Lots of spine-tingling moments on this record!
I knew I was going to include a Joni Mitchell album on this list and picking just one was very difficult... I love the later Joni albums; the gravel in her voice embodies a sense of life reflections and wisdom which she imparts so poetically. There is some truly stunning playing by Wayne Shorter on this album too.
GILLIAN WELCH - Time (The Revelator)
I was first introduced to the music of Gillian Welch by a roommate when I was living in Brooklyn, NY (during what was a bit of a soul-searching period for me). I'm a huge fan of all her stuff, but this one has a special place in my heart. The music is dark, intelligent, sincere and timeless.
JEFF BUCKLEY - Grace
What a songwriter. I've always thought it would be fun to do a cover version of this album... He is an incredible guitar player and his singing always reminded me of Miles Davis - the way he phrased, the note choices, the intensity. Lots of spine-tingling moments on this record!
For more information visit Andre's website & click here for Tour Dates
Click on the album cover to read our review
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