The Details
Jazzed Up Classics:
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Fur Elise – Beethoven
Certainly the most famous bagatelle from this master, and we have joined forces to give an up tempo extended ear opening performance of this popular tune. This is the opener for all our gigs.
Carmina Burana – Carl Orff
With the strength of a heart felt dark empowering melodic and textural endeavour, this overly famous work has been given a new rhythm and jazz style that revokes the passion to a new enlightening feel with a sense of humour
with an inspected gadget thing. Old Spice and now for 2005, Power
Ball 4in1.
Trios Gymnopdies no.1 – Eric Satie
With Satie’s quote “wall-paper music” that essentially is a beautiful fashion of pure accessible originally in a neat tidy arrangement, we take this tune and turn it to a more cheery sound with the rhythms inspired by Jazz.
Hello – Lionel Richie
Hello there. This classic ballad of the 80’s sits beautifully with the Jazz. Swung with a swingy thing, you will find it challenging to sing along, but you’ll enjoy the new angle.
Some money ideas from Abba enter the phrasing at some point too.
Bolero – Ravel
This original single finger melody from French composer Ravel has earned its reputation by being one of the biggest climatic orchestral musical installations ever written. We take that skirting melody and pop a few extra progressive chord progressions and provide the rhythmical twist it so cries out for. Torvill & Dean did it visually, and we do it aurally.
Sugar Plumb Fairy & The March– Tchaikovsky
So, ballet & jazz, but of course…nothing to do with Duke Ellington either. There are some pieces that fit like a finger to a
glorious hole and become inspired have the humour added. So, slightly wounded, that’s what you get – along with the furry pink thing too. For that, you’ll have to hear us live. Enjoy!
Prelude in C – Bach
You can’t have a good gig without the Bach; respect the Bach. This prelude in C though simple, gently glides it musical lines with a simple and effective performance with the bass line being subtly moved.
Money Money Money – ABBA
If only the world didn’t have to go round, we’d fall off I guess. However, the sensation of this band has carved its measures into our fingers with a treat of that 80’s thing to a modern culture of Jazz.
This piece's chorus is slotted into the improvisation section of
'Hello'.
Indiana Jones Themes - John
Williams
Not much escapes the imagination that takes place between the ears
of Alex & Matt. This tune, just like Bolero, works
beautifully
as a jazz tune. So, this time the treatment is familiar and
interesting with a grasp of subtle new harmonies that not even Mr
Williams himself if probably adhered to.
Moondance - Van
Morrison
There are some songs that lend themselves beautifully to
interpretative construction into the world of Jazz. I have heard
this great tune being performed from the likes of soulful gestures
to Irish folk, all working as well as each other. Ours is
typical and allows us to move gently with similar harmonies into
Summertime.
Beethoven's 5th
Symphony
Beneath the depth of any grand master composer will always lie a
plethora of inspiration. Here is, probably the single most
famous piece of classical music ever heard. this 5th Symphony is a
lightly jazzed up edition that crawls its way through the exposition
on an envious journey of themes from this master.
The Originals:
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Yin Yang (Pineapple) – Alex Christaki
This cheeky piece has won its mark with a contemporary style suited by the flavour of a combining rhythmic battle. As it tweaks some of the quirky melodies, it eventually sits on a beautiful textural and dynamic movement to finally rest its soul on a bed of
lush feathers.
Solitude – Alex Christaki
This was originally written for a 30 piece Jazz Funk band, Sfunky.
As a song, it was co-written with the singer Deborah Lloyd (aka Deborah John). Now the piece with its neat & subtle melody is entwined with a sense of air being lightly supported with gradual repetitious harmonies.
See Seven Eff Seven – Alex Christaki
Nowhere will you find a more cheerful melody than this. The quirky guiding chords stick the line into scherzo blues notch with a emblem of that humorous impromptu.
See Minor – Alex Christaki
A sensual imagery of intimate and delicate engages. Fluid details that adopt the obsession tampering with a journey that embraces no ambiguity. Though the occasional surprise, the compromise is pure. Listen carefully and you’ll hear the sound take you somewhere new and fresh.
Prynoukia Piano Duet - Alex
Christaki
Matt had managed to get his fingers on the keys for a change, so
hitting instead of plucking I am sure will give a new tingling
feeling to his hands. This is a performance piece not to be
missed with frantic and exceptional musical dialogue rhythmically
and melodically at a breath taking pace. Fun filled action,
you'll have to hold on tight.
E minor – The Half Quartet
This piece was an accident, a most usually are. Based on a strength of modal improvisation designs, these details are presented on a bed of simple yet effective chords that are a treat. Familiar, but just out of reach, a good end to the day. You will also hear Thomas Tallis’ 3rd mode melody – utterly beautiful. Vaughan Williams was no fool.
Seven Eight – The Half Quartet
A groove that just grooves and grooves. Hitting on the Rhodes for a change, this electric and rhythmical blueprint is a design for toe-tappers to have their stab at finding the down beat. A remarkable and original work not to be missed.
"Interludes" - Alex Christaki & Matt Brooks
Listen carefully in between the main tracks, and you will hear Alex
and Matt bless the air with improvised harmonies that will settle
your soul for life!
Summertime - George
Gershwin
I promise you that you will have never heard this utter classic
performed in the same way THQ does it. Ambitious harmonies
does wonders to embrace pure blissful tunes.
Something More:
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I wish I knew how it would feel to be free – Billy Taylor
Another super jazz track for an inspiring audience. Barry Norman’s Film 9x theme tune explained to us all what great music sounds like.
Un-square Dance – Dave Brubeck
Here’s another toe-tapper to engage to audiences hands to an irregular clap. Can you keep it up to the end?
Take Five - Dave Brubeck
A classic tale of the sax working its subtleties along a slightly
different angle with the keys taking the main line. What it's
up to is just what happens on the night particularly if it decides
to journey on a real vast ride of new ideas and deep affectionate
textures.
Root Beer Rag – Billy Joel
This Ragtime style is a lovable piece full of fire and endurance.
Alma de Mujer – Chano Dominguez
Nowhere else does a Spanish composer and Jazz pianist refine his art of flamenco piano. This piece is a melodic bliss full of chromaticism and beauty. This a rare opportunity to hear something very special.
Brazilian Delight -
Projecto 3
Fun, much fun delights the fingers and toes of this rhythmical
gallery, striking tune and buoyant chord progression. Dance or
listen, but please, make it a tow tapper and compliment this
Brazilian inspired tune
The Standards:
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These three standards plus the Rainbow are somewhat comforting favourites. We will always gig Summertime, and the others, if there is time, we will embrace the fingers and ears and just sit with the familiar land of the Jazz.
Matt and his Bass:
Matt has something incredible up his sleeve
(his arm). His solo performance spot delivers unprecedented skill and panache with his electric six string bass. You will be amazed.
We hope you have been inspired; why not check out the reviews and see what other people are saying.
Then, have a look at the
gig list, and maybe we will see you there.
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