Tony Kofi, Larry Bartley, Tom Skinner, Boujemma Boubul, Dave Okumu
Influences
Ancestral Sounds, Rhythmic Incantations and Poetic Messages from the African Diaspora, European Classical Tradition from Perotin to Bach to Ligeti. Music from Indigenous peoples of the world especially Asian and South East Asian traditions.
'Meeting Ground' Byron Wallen's New Album Available in shops and online from March 5th. For more information go to www.byronwallen.co.uk
A powerful composer, Byron Wallen's intuitive and spiritual leanings shine through his "Tarot Suite," an enticing piece of music that draws inspiration from the symbols and imagery of the tarot cards. It's world premiere received rave reviews from the British press with Byron being heralded as 'The most interesting new explorer of Miles Davis' legacy" (The Guardian). The twenty-two-piece suite is written for ten musicians. Other works include 'Dangerous Duets' for the Jerwood foundation, 'Live' a work commissioned by Sheron Wray's JazzXchange for performance at the Opera House. 'Trumpet Kings' commisioned by the CBSO for the Byron Wallen Octet and Langston Hughes Suite commisioned by Poetry International for the poet's Centenary. Byron has four albums under his own name 'Sound Advice', 'Earth Roots' ,'Indigo' and 'Meeting Ground'.
Raised in a musical environment, Byron studied classical piano from an early age. He also studied trumpet with Jimmy Owens, Donald Byrd and Jon Faddis in New York. He graduated with a degree in Psychology, Philosophy and Maths from Sussex University. During this period, he recorded for Loose Ends and Cleveland Watkiss and played trumpet in a variety of musical settings; with Mervyn Africa, The Style Council, Charles Earland, Courtney Pine and Jean Toussaint.
One of the most dynamic and versatile voices currently on the music scene, Byron has performed with rap outfits such as The Roots, Digable Planets and Us3. His trumpet has appeared alongside Chaka Khan, Red Snapper,Hugh Masekela, Lonnie Liston Smith, Mulatu Astate, Bobby Mcferrin Manu Dibango, Chaka Khan,and Ammonpondo. He has recorded with George Benson, William Orbit, Toumani Diabate, Brice Wassy and has toured the world with Incognito.
Byron is firmly routed in the jazz tradition, he has toured with David Murray, Sam Rivers, Billy Higgins, Andrew Hill, Butch Morris, Jack Dejohnette, Wynton Marsalis, John Patton and Freddie Hubbard.
Imagine: You are an North-African immigrant to Spain or a South-American trying to get into US who has not much more than a few suitcases, his ability to work hard, willing to pay with slavery and to do dirty work - work that no inhabitant of the country you want to go to would even think of considering.
You already travelled a far way and left many good friends behind that you maybe never will see again.
You stumble out of the nearly falling apart bus or the smuggler boat, where you had to pay your income of a half year to that grim looking people with hearts of stone - just to take you aboard.
You are sighing gladly that you survived the travel and now take your first steps in your new home country.
And you are soon aware: You are disrespected, treated badly, your woman is seen as a kind of cheap prostitute, other people's children don't want to play with your children.
You are thinking of your former homecountry with feelings of sentimentality and you know there is no hope: you cannot go back...
Hey Thanks for the friendship, I truly appreciate it! I’m getting ready to play as much as possible in the US. Feel free to check out my band profile (see below), download free MP3s from my brandnew debut album or even become a fan! :)) Blessings, Vlada http://www.facebook.com/pages/VLADA/13506957663 PS: You can download the album on iTunes or order the Limited Second Edition CD here: www.vladamusic.com.
I'm proud to offer you "Heavy In The Beats Vol. 1 - A Different Drum", the first installment in my FREE mixtape series dedicated to giving drummers and percussionists exposure. "Volume 1" focuses on the avant garde side of the instrument, and features pieces from Billy Martin (of Medeski Martin & Wood), myself, Steve Honoshowsky, and others!
(you have to copy and paste the link on myspace for some reason)
4-7 of June - FINDAMORALE FESTIVAL 2009, HOXTON, LONDON.
with SUPER double bills from Paris on 5th and 6th of June featuring
1) - HADRIEN FERAUD (Bireli Lagrene, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea) and RUMEURS
2) - LINLEY MARTHE ( Joe Zawinul, Mino Cinelu, Dave Liebman, Trilok Gurtu, Richard Galliano) Project. You will have a rare chance to see these two bands on one night for the price of one!
Only at CHARLIE WRIGHT'S INTERNATIONAL (45 Pitfield Street, N1 6DA). For more info call 07918635328 or go www.myspace.com/charliewrights
Hi Byron, Thank you for the good moments we share at your master class at Pierrefitte. I hope we could see and play music together. Take care my friend. Domi
