Formed in 1999, Sweeter Than the Day began simply as the acoustic incarnation of Zony Mash. The band played a series of weekly shows at Seattle's Baltic Room, and quickly became Wayne Horvitz’s first piano-based ensemble in over 10 years.
Despite the shared personnel, the ensemble is quite distinct from the electric Zony Mash and the repetoire is almost entirely different. The band has toured throughout the US, Canada and Europe, and has a West Coast tour of the US planned for March of 2007. Sweeter Than the Day also presents double bills with Robin Holcomb, where it also serves as Robin's backup band.
A Walk In the Dark is the first studio release from Sweeter Than the Day since it’s eponymous CD from 2002.
Wayne Horvitz notes, “I’ve been wrapped up in a lot of other works, including some large ensemble projects, an
opera of sorts, and CDs including “Solos” and two CDs from my other Quartet, the Gravitas Ensemble. That
being said, Sweeter Than the Day has been consistently touring and performing, and remains one of my
favorite projects of all time.”
The CD features 11 new originals, showcasing Sweeter Than the Day’s signature blend of Horvitz’ unique and
understated harmonic language, Tim Young’s brilliant and beautiful solos, and the group interplay that the band
is so well known for. “This is more of a playing record”, says Horvitz. “It isn’t live, but it’s a lot closer to that
feeling than Forever or Sweeter Than the Day - a little looser and a little edgier: it’s got more up-tempo tunes
and we stretch more. Tim does some things that just knock my socks off. We actually recorded this the same
week I recorded the new Gravitas CD, and we do three or four of the same tunes. The contrast is fantastic
between the two bands, and I am blessed to have not one, but two ensembles bringing so much life to my
pieces.”
Along with their new CD "A Walk In The Dark" (2008), Sweeter Than the Day recorded 2 CDs for Songlines: "American Bandstand" (now re-titled Forever) (2000) and "Sweeter Than the Day" (2002). The band also recorded a live double CD on the Kufala label, entitled Live at the Rendevous (2004).
" ...a great showcase for Horvitz's beautiful compositions, his really strange angular chord progressions.
Ned Wharton, NPR's Weekend Edition
"On piano, Horvitz is economical yet lyrical, never venturing far from the strong melodic hooks which characterize his compositions, but constantly working small surprises. An irresistible antidote to gray days."
The Wire, UK
Dang--so I missed y'all on Friday. I was in Portland at the Portland Jazz Orchestra's Coltrane retrospective. They did the whole Love Supreme Liturgy. Then on to Outside World w/o Daniel, it was cousin Jimi sitting in and a few other assorted lads.
thanks for checking out and adding jk stickers to your cult list! haha. when i upgrade the old computers OS system i shall return and give a listen to the tunes.
late,
jamie.
jk stickers.
Hey Sweeter Than The Day, Jodok here...nice to meet you.
Can you believe it??? I sing on this record, and now the producer won't pay me. I was promised a year supply of crackers, and now they don't return my calls. O.K., I know I'm a parrot, but that doesn't mean I should be disrespected. Please, if you like my vocal performance on "Loro", make a comment, and tell them to give me my crackers.
thanks for the add ... we're honored.
we really enjoy playing some of your compositions
and, personally, you're my favorite
band in recent memory.
just awesome. thanks for making my day!
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