Here's a band that doesn't play the straightened arrow as much as it teases it. Laying off the usual trappings that make up a typical jazz group, George Schuller's Circle Wide breathes new fire with a cool edge and plenty of daring to "create modern jazz which at times leans towards the left of the musical spectrum yet, in many instances 'swings-hard' and skirts the fringes of post-modern bop." Circle Wide features the front line talents of saxophonist Donny McCaslin and guitarist Brad Shepik, along with vibist Tom Beckham, bassist Dave Ambrosio, and drummer/leader George Schuller.
As with Orange Then Blue and the Schulldogs, Schuller has fashioned another quirky vehicle for his compositions and arrangements, focusing on the challenges of a small group dynamic with fresh takes on the tenor/guitar front line. Formed in 1999, Circle Wide has been combing the downtown NY club terrain for several years only to emerge as a forceful musical entity propelling loose-limbed future bop into the new millenium. In the last several years, Circle Wide has appeared at major festivals in Rochester, NY (2005) and in Braga, Portugal (2008).
|
