Continuum

Bio:

CONTINUUM REVIEWS:

"the emphasis is on inventive new jazz with plenty of group and individual improvisation on offer....... unreservedly recommended to all jazz enthusiasts with open ears and minds."

JAZZ JOURNAL

".... this band injects the finer elements of fusion with traditional jazz etiquette and methodologies along with a sharp, rugged edge!....... the musicians impress with a strong and thoroughly unified sense of direction intermingled with noteworthy compositions and sterling ensemble work."

ALL ABOUT JAZZ

"once again I am astonished to hear something so unlike the same old, tired, post-progressive fusak. Elements of Frank Zappa abound in this electric quartet of sax, synth, bass and drums."

BEYONDCOLTRANE.COM

"Where old school fusion drowned in self-indulgent displays of technical mastery, the four members of the Los Angeles based CONTINUUM play it cool. ....This is a writer's record and the writing is very good indeed. As fusion(?)records go this one is quite nice and wonderfully recorded to boot."

SIGNAL TO NOISE

"CONTINUUM might well epitomize the art of current jazz/rock fusion. The playing from all four members is immaculate, and if synthesizers have a place in jazz then this is definitely the home for them......"

VANISHING POINT

"when you think the music will fall into redundant smooth Kenny G stuff it turns a corner or explodes, as in the delightful "Waltz For Igor"....The darting cross rhythmic tight head of "Nick Of Time" is joyous and fun....intervals of driving inventive sax, bass angles and keyboard delights make the recording worthwhile."

VICTORY REVIEW

"this ensemble fuses the best from several approaches to creative music. Their written material gives them a substantial and interesting base for ensemble and solo development. For their time together, they also have both the confidence and sharply honed intuitive faculties needed to allow them to open the music to varied inspirations. Most of the material originates with group members, and it rates highly against virtually any criteria you want to apply - melodic and harmonic content, rhythmic diversity and flow, maturity of form and conception, use of dynamics, and space for interplay and individuality. For all the right reasons, this music should stimulate a multi-faceted crossover audience."

JAZZ NEWS

"Heavily lauded bent jazz types who take soi-disant 'Fusion' into the 21st century, where it's respected....Far from the same old fusion CONTINUUM brings an artistic edge to this disparaged form of crowd pleasing jazz."

L.A. WEEKLY

"CONTINUUM - The ten tracks move from fusion to New Age to jazz (sometimes within the same cut) with ease. The tracks composed by Ochikubo bring to mind the work of Oregon and the compositions of Ralph Towner. But he also goes through mood shifts -through the use of dynamics on these songs. Bassist Billman has a rich tone and he is not afraid to move beyond the standard bass riffs. He rumbles all around "Nick of Time" with Garcia's sparkling cymbal work coloring the background...Garcia, an excellent percussionist really pushes the group, especially in the solo sections."

CADENCE JAZZ MAGAZINE

"As a longtime member of the band CONTINUUM, Ochikubo has developed a sharp, expansive approach to electric jazz. His solos are outstanding for their subtle twists on traditional notions and conventions, and his ensemble performance is well-crafted and unfailingly energetic."

KEYBOARD PLAYER MAGAZINE

"CONTINUUM - This is the premiere recording for this L.A. based group, which has been together since 1987. All the compositions are the band's own, and the studio production is very good. Both sound-wise and compositionally, Continuum bears a strong resemblance to Weather Report. Cool synth sounds and textures abound, and there are a multitude of snappy grooves:funk, straight ahead, and waltzes alike It's nice to see a group with this approach to fusion compositions."

JAZZSCENE MAGAZINE

REVIEWS FOR ALFRED GARCIAS SOLO CD - MAKE IT SO

... Alfred Garcia weaves tasteful tendrils of fusion heat without kissing the sneakers of Jaco and Stanley. An excellent offering from an artist to watch.

ALL ABOUT JAZZ

"Rarely have I heard a musician that can double on the bass and guitar with the proficiency that I am hearing from Al Garcia... If you are a lover of the bass, jazzfusion, and Holdsworthian guitar, Al Garcia has a cd for you to check out..."

PROGNOSIS WEB SITE

"It is sound for those who enjoy the technical skills of playing the sounds which is becoming rare around us."

CYBERFUSION

"The music overall could be called fusion, but it is pretty wide-ranging as far as moods and grooves go. The leader's colorful playing, the wide textures that he creates, and the very professional feel of the privately produced CD is quite impressive. Well worth searching for."

ALL MUSIC GUIDE

(Scott Yanow :author of Afro-Cuban Jazz, editor of All Music Guide to Jazz, contributor to Downbeat, Jazz Times, Cadence, and other periodicals)

"Alfred's unique composing style incorporates classical elements with fusion chops, the end result sounding like a cross between Beethoven and Allan Holdsworth's I.O.U. His bass playing should appeal to fans of Jeff Berlin ... his guitar style might attract fans of Holdsworth."

GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE

Member Since:

July 09, 2006

Members:

..

Christopher Garcia - drumset, tabla, kanjira, olla, Paiste Cymbals, percussion

Al Garcia - electric fretted and fretless bass guitar

Craig Ochikubo - keyboard synthesizers, piano

Damon Zick - soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, & tenor saxophone

CONTINUUM Home Page

.. CONTINUUM with very special musical guest Maestro Michael Manring.. CONTINUUM LIVE AT ALVAS performing VOICES by Craig Ochikubo.. CG - drums/percussion/CFO - synths/AG - 5 string bass guitar/ CONTINUUM LIVE AT ALVAS performing R.T. by Damon Zick.. CG - drums/percussion/CFO - synths/AG - 5 string bass guitar/DZ - saxophones.. CONTINUUM LIVE AT UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO 1991.. CG - drums/percussion/CFO - synths/SB - bass/AS - saxophone.. CONTINUUM LIVE AT BARNSDALL ART PARK 1989(!).. CG - drums/percussion/CFO - synths/SB - bass/AG - guitar..

Influences:

Kei Akagi, Jan Akkerman, J.S. Bach, Bela Bartok, Jeff Berlin, Brand X, Anthony Braxton, Michael Brecker, Clifford Brown, Oteil Burbridge, Jack Bruce, Bill Bruford, Alain Caron, Eric Clapton, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham, John Coltrane, Chick Corea, Eletrik Band, Cream, Miles Davis, Al Dimeola, Eric Dolphy, Dream Theater, ELP, Keith Emerson, Bill Evans, Russell Ferrante, Focus, Frank Gambale, Matthew Garrison, Egberto Gismonti, Don Grolnick, Trilok Gurtu, Jan Hammer, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Haslip, Jonas Hellborg, Scott Henderson, Jimi Hendrix, Allan Holdsworth, Freddy Hubbard, Gary Husband, Keith Jarrett, Jack de Johnette, Eric Johnson, Jimmy Johnson, Alphonso Johnson, Percy Jones, King Crimson, Abraham Laboriel, Tony Levin, Mahavishnu Orchestra,Michael Manring, Pat Martino, Lyle Mays, Christian McBride, John McLaughlin, Marcus Miller, Charles Mingus, Joni Mitchell, Thelonious Monk, Bob Moses, Paul Motian, Mountain, Adam Nitti, Steve Morse, Charlie Parker, Felix Papalardi, Joe Pass, Jaco Pastorious, Dominique Di Piazza, Jean Luc Ponty, Return to Forever, Sonny Rollins, Carlos Santana, Shakti, Wayne Shorter, John Scofield, Billy Sheehan, Chris Squire, Strunz and Farah, Tribal Tech, Steve Swallow, Weather Report, Eberhard Weber, Dave Weckl, Gary Willis, Victor Wooten, Yellowjackets, Yes, Frank Zappa, Joe Zawinul

Sounds Like:

all of the above, distilled thru years of performances, and practical experiences, playing most of the above music and creating our own = CONTINUUM

Record Label:

Nine Winds