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The Convergence Quartet - Taylor Ho Bynum (cornet, etc.), Harris Eisenstadt (drums, percussion), Dominic Lash (contrabass & preparations), Alexander Hawkins (piano, etc.) - brings together four of a new young generation of improvisers who draw on both US and European traditions in their music. The spectrum of creative music also informs their writing, with each member of the ensemble contributing to the band's book. From Bynum's smears and growls, Hawkins' old/new piano, Lash's acute textural awareness, and Eisenstadt's mastery of colour, expect sound ranging from the subtlest of tone-explorations to powerful expressionism.

“a fundamental reassertion of composition within improvised music” - (Stuart Broomer, Point of Departure (US))

“an international cast of highly-regarded improvisers…a study in contrasts…truly a convergence of musical ideas…ambience, finesse, power and intricately devised subtleties” - (Glenn Astarita, eJazznews.com (US))

“The telling exploitation of contrast (both stylistic and dynamic) is perhaps the band's greatest collective strength …but individually, too…the band rivet the attention” - Chris Parker, The Vortex)

“a perfect example of the richly varied nature of free improvisation…full of lightning responses from all the players and moments of magical innovation” - (Paul Medley, The Oxford Times)

“The Convergence Quartet put their collective shoulders to the free compositional wheel and give it a massive shove over the edge…Wow!” - (Edwin Pouncey, The Wire)

“The Convergence Quartet make exciting music. Their new live CD brings together a variety of approaches - the well-planned and the unpredictable, the forceful and the intricate, expressive solos and cogent group interactions. They come together, play everywhichway - and it's a convergence of riches.” - (Graham Lock, author Forces in Motion: Anthony Braxton and the Meta-Reality of Creative Music)

“Following in the footsteps of artists such as Dave Brubeck and Anthony Braxton: first-world third-stream composers with one eye on the deeper river of free jazz and African and American traditional music...their sound is fiercely contemporary. If you wonder where Jazz is at today, where it has evolved to, then here’s one answer.” - (Tim Owen, The Jazzmann.com)

“Highly unpredictable and thought-provoking music to savor with endless room for future consideration.” - (Jay Collins, Cadence (US))

“A powerful example of 21st-century musical catholicity, uninhibitedly mingling improv, contemporary-classical composition, old jazz references and new abstractions” - (John Fordham, The Guardian)

For more details (including sound samples, biographies and reviews), please visit our website.