Astrakan
Jazz / Electronica / Experimental
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"'new jazz clash'"
London,
United Kingdom
Profile Views:
3862
Last Login:
10/8/2008
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http://www.myspace.com/astrakan |
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| Astrakan: General Info
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| Member Since | 8/3/2006 | | Band Members | Michael Garcia: Accordion/Vibraphone/
Keyboard
Primary composer for the group, Michael has been involved in London's free improvisation and experimental music scenes for many years. Past projects include solo marimba performances, playing with improvising musicians such as Maggie Nichols, Marcio Mattos and John Law, writing for the rock collective Public Supply and writing and playing with innovative songsters The Magenta House. He names Charles Mingus, Harry Partch, Bernard Hermann and Gunter Hampel as sometime influences.
Dave Fowler: Drums
Endlessly creative drummer, who has worked with Elton Dean, Jim Dvorak, and Graham Clarke (Gong associate), amongst many others.
Ray Hardy: Alto/Tenor Sax/Flute
Ray studied saxophone with John Rangecroft, Mark Lockheart (Polar Bear etc) and Mark Ramsden. He has been involved with the group since its beginning, providing everything from tender melodies, to Coltrane and John Henderson influenced licks, to white-hot freeform noise. Ray also has interests in contemporary music, having been a pupil of James Erber, and Roger Redgate. He is a member of the ad hoc composers group, and had a scintillating vocal quartet performed by Tongue Stuff in April.
Oli Mayne: Bass/ synth/ theremin
Has been involved in more musical activities then he cares to remember, everything from playing bass guitar in front of five thousand people in Germany (whilst a member of Glitterhouse label band Savoy Grand), to classical percussion, to free improvisation, and all points in-between. Current projects include the percussion quartet Brake Drum Assembly, and experimental vibraphone and synth/ noise improvisations under the 'OM' moniker. Websites: www.myspace.com/brakedrumassembly; www.myspace.com/omvibraphone
Jerry Wigens: Guitar/Clarinet
Jerry is a composer and improviser with considerable practical experience in a range of musical styles. He's been on the SPNM (Society for Promotion of New Music) composer shortlist and participates regularly in the
improvisation workshop run by Eddie Prevost of legendary experimental
improvisers AMM. He also played with 80s London favourites The Republic.
His work has been performed by high-profile performers such as guitarist
Alan Thomas, the Elysian String Quartet, the Post Quartet and contemporary
music group Vamos. His multi-influenced guitar style adds a frequently
charged dimension to the group's eclectic sound.
| | Influences | From punk to free jazz to avant-garde classical music, ambient electronica, group improvisation, tango, psychedelia, prog rock etc etc etc.
| | Sounds Like | Gong, Soft Machine, Acoustic Ladyland/ Polar Bear, Miles, Jaga Jazzist, Peter Thomas Orchestra, Cinematic Orchestra, Mwandishi (Herbie Hancock early 70s band), Frank Zappa, Ozric Tentacles, Return to Forever, Joe Henderson, Girls Aloud | | Type of Label | None |
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Astrakan's Latest Blog Entry
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Astrakan live tonight at the Half Moon, Herne hill! (Friday 20th June)
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Come celebrate the solstice with Astrakan! Gig at the Half Moon, Herne Hill, Friday 20th June
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Astrakan Resonance FM session now available to listen to on-line
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Astrakan are reborn! Live show in London, March 28th and radio session March 29th!
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New tracks posted!
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| About Astrakan |
NB NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH QUARTET ASTRAKAN FROM FRANCE (although we like their music a lot!). The Astrakan Collective was formed in 2004 to play a variety of material involving equal elements of composition and improvisation, composed by founding member Michael Garcia. The group have played at various London venues, including the Vortex and the Red Rose Club, and have run their own occasional 'Club Astrakan' in a selection of venues. Currently working as a five-piece (featuring sax, guitar, drums, bass, accordian, vibraphone and electronics), new tracks just posted. LOOKING FOR GIGS!!! (Get in touch if you can help!)
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