Variations on Italian Pastoral Themes

James Armstrong Music

Saturday, 19 May 2012
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Variations on Italian Pastoral Themes

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NEW! Solo piano works by James Armstrong...

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1. Variations on Italian Pastoral Themes
[22:58] James Armstrong
2. Ballad
[7:53] James Armstrong

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This new solo recording presents an extended improvisation on contrasting themes, and interpretations of an older student work. In both performances, consonance and dissonance are freely explored to create what Thelonious Monk might have termed an 'ugly beauty'.

Variations on Italian Pastoral Themes taps into my distant memories of Europe, during an extended stay there as an expatriate (1965-1966).

Ballad was written in 1980, and attempts to synthesize music by Monk and Horace Silver, who were among my influences at the time.

With many thanks to Cookie Marenco and Patrick O'Connor at OTR Studios.


All compositions by James David Armstrong, Jr. (BMI)
Recorded by Cookie Marenco and Patrick O’Connor at OTR Studios / May 7, 2011
Cover art “Medusa #1” by Hiroko Sakai

 

About The Artist

James Armstrong has explored concurrent paths in improvisation and modern classical music since his 1979 graduation from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Past projects include trios, quartets, and inventions for small ensembles -- volatile, labor-intensive music with a marked pantonal focus. Now working on original repertoire for solo performance.


“...He has a firm grasp of the sheer power of Monk, often slamming the keys to create a shattering dissonance...he understands the rhythmic complexities of Cecil Taylor and the intellectualism of Andrew Hill. He has used these strong influences to create a personal style, always saving room for the purity of his own fingers on the keys. It is through his touch, his feel for the instrument that he achieves his individual power...” [ Stefan Zeniuk / Jazz Now Interactive, July 2002 ]

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