Mary Halvorson

Thumbscrew (Rune 365)

Thumbscrew Agrandir l'image

Thumbscrew

Mary Halvorson

Cuneiform

045775036526

CUN 141014

Rune 365

JAZZ

1

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CD 14,99 €

While Michael Formanek (double bass), Tomas Fujiwara (drums) and Mary Halvorson (guitar) are all known for their prodigious capabilities as improvisers, Thumbscrew is more of a composer’s vehicle. While many cooperative bands draw on material recycled from other projects, "One of the things we said at the beginning is let’s just write music for Thumbscrew and it will only be Thumbscrew music," says Formanek. "It really is a three-composer trio, and all of our tunes have our basic aesthetics attached. But we want everybody to have input. Nobody’s afraid to make a decision. It’s one of the first co-ops I’ve been in where everyone’s really willing to take control at any given moment."

With each musician contributing three tunes, the album encompasses an array of textures and strategies, while maintaining a consistently open and transparent sound. Generating tremendous intensity without necessarily increasingly volume or density, Thumbscrew buzzes and crackles, burns and croons. The group is both open and composerly. Part of what makes the band’s music so engaging is that they draw widely and deeply from any number of sonic sources.

Part of the trio’s strength flows from the deep interconnecting bonds they’ve forged. Halvorson and Fujiwara first started playing together in cornetist Taylor Ho Bynum’s Sextet. They also work together in the collective quartet Reverse Blue with Chris Speed and Eivind Opsvik, and Mike Reed’s fascinating Sun Ra-inspired ensemble Living By Lanterns.

They first worked with Formanek when he subbed in Bynum’s band in 2011, and the chemistry between the three was so readily apparent they immediately started looking into performance opportunities as a trio. This fine, distinctive effort is the result of 2 years of planning, rehearsing and gigging.

Mary Halvorson - guitar
Michael Formanek - double bass
Tomas Fujiwara - drums

Recorded on April 7, 2013 at The Bunker, Brooklyn, NY

Tracklist:
1. Cheap Knock Off
2. Ithumbscrew
3. Fluid Hills in Pink
4. Nothing Doing
5. Goddess Sparkle
6. Buzzard's Breath
7. Still...Doesn't Swing
8. Falling Too Far
9. Line to Create Madness