Other musicians in Jucamaya are Ian Hill (saxes), Richard Baker (trombone), Tom Bull (double bass and bass guitar), Steve Laffy or Nick Millward (drums)
Influences
Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Joe Zawinul, Sonny Rollins, John McLaughlin, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Quincy Jones, Eric Dolphy, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell and so many more.
Welcome to my space where I can share some of my music with you. Music has brought me countless hours of enjoyment and satisfaction. I feel privileged to have the ability to be able to immerse myself in such a wonderful experience. It's a treasured possession!
I am a pianist and guitarist and play modern jazz most of the time. Currently I have three main threads to my musical journey. I view it as a journey because I'm learning new things all the time, meeting new musicians, and exploring new avenues, sometimes unexpected ones.
Firstly there is the contemporary jazz quintet, Jucamaya (see www.jucamaya.com and www.myspace.com/jucamaya). This is a five piece band (sax, trombone, keyboard, bass, drums) based in the Midlands. It largely features my original compositions and arrangements, though we also play some carefully chosen standards. Although I love playing standards, a time has come where my deepest musical expression can only come through creating and playing my own music. I try to make my tunes melodic, memorable and stylish and in tune with the jazz tradition, without being too way-out (and consequently being inaccessible to the average audience). Jucamaya regularly plays at jazz clubs, mainly in the midlands and consistently receives warm responses from audiences. Our first CD entitled Thinking of Joe, remembering Joe Zawinul, the American keyboardist in Weather Report, is selling well. A new CD entitled Curious Terrain has just been released in the autumn 09.
The second thread to my musical journey is being accompanist to jazz singers, something which is an art in itself. I have been working with Roy Forbes, the Birmingham-based jazz and soul singer, for over 10 years, in a collaboration involving duo, trio, quartet and quintet line-ups. You can hear us at jazz clubs, restaurants, functions and the occasional festival (we played at the Marbella Jazz Festival in Spain a few years ago). I also work with singer Sue Kibbey, whose performances always combine warmth, passion and fun. We did a memorable gig at London's Pizza on the Park in 2007, which was recorded for CD.
The third thread covers all the other valuable bits in the mosaic, all contributing their part to my musical journey. Here are some examples: my collaboration with saxophonist Ian Hill, my involvement with the new funk/latin band called JAMA, learning to play the sitar and studying Indian ragas, the occasional rock guitar gig ( I played in productions of The Who's Tommy, and Jesus Christ Superstar at Rugby Theatre), and backing well known jazz soloists such as Jim Mullen, Alan Barnes, Dave O'Higgins and Greg Abate. At home I have a studio recording capability, where I recorded Jucamaya, Roy Forbes and myself for a solo album entitled Personal Freeway. Check it out at www.grahamdent.com
Listening to music has always played an important part of my life. My tastes are broad ranging from classical, through most styles of jazz to rock, blues and folk. My all-time favourites are Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Miles Davis and Stevie Wonder.
So there we are. Have a listen to some of my music. Better still, come to a gig. Thanks.
Dear Grant, Thank you very much for your great music and energy...I enjoy it a lot... I use to perform with Bryan during my time in Zimbabwe (1997-2001)...we had a Latin Jazz band named "Diaspora" ...we did have a lot of fun playing music together...
Wishing yo all the best with your musical projects...
