Hank Roberts Trio with John Stetch and Jim Black
Click here to download the EPK in PDF format.
Three world renowned jazz and improvisational musicians, cellist Hank Roberts, pianist John Stetch and drummer Jim Black perform together as the Hank Roberts Trio.
“On June 30th, 2010 the trio had it’s first ever performance at the Carriage House Hayloft in Ithaca, NY. Jim and I have been playing together over the past 5 years touring in Europe, and John and I had done several silent film projects and had played several concerts around Ithaca. The chemistry and artistry of the players has been a revelation for my music. The timbrel blends, the tightness of the written materials, and the improvisational virtuosity of each musician is inspiring to me. We played to a very enthusiastic sold out audience. I’m looking forward to many other performances with this group. Fortunately we made audio and visual recordings of the night, some of which you can see right here.” – Hank Roberts
See more videos here – http://www.youtube.com/mshankr
Jim Black is at the forefront of a new generation of musicians bringing Jazz into the 21st century. Based on the foundation of his virtuosic but highly personal approach to jazz drumming, Black’s aesthetic has expanded to include Balkan rhythms, rock songcraft and laptop soundscapes. Although he is revered worldwide for his limitless technique and highly creative approach, many listeners treasure the relentless feeling of joy and invention that he brings to performances. The rhythmic mastery and timbrel-tonal colors that he expresses on his instruments is unprecedented. He has performed extensively throughout the world with a host of great musicians including Tim Berne, Ellery Eskelin, Dave Douglas, Uri Cain, Dave Liebman, Satoko Fujii, and Laurie Anderson.
Jim and Hank have been friends and musical collaborators since 1990. They have toured Europe extensively, and are featured together on Hank’s 2008 Winter and Winter recording, “Green” which won the German Critics’ Award in 2008 and received great reviews in the press, including the NY Times.
“A complete musician and wonderfully fertile composer… Black has produced a masterpiece of future jazz.” -Andy Hamilton, The Wire “wickedly inventive… A revelation.” -CMJ
“Fluent in all languages.” -Time Out NY
John Stetch is regarded as one of the finest jazz pianists anywhere. He’s received 5 Juno Award nominations. He won the Prix du Jazz at the Montreal Jazz Festival in 1998, placed 2nd in the 1994 Thelonius Monk International composer’s Competition, has been frequently recorded by the CBC, and has appeared on several NPR programs such as Marian McPartland’s “Piano Jazz” and “Jazz Set” with Brandford Marsalis. He’s performed throughout the world with artists such as Rufus Reid, Charlie Haden, Seamus Blake, Mark Turner, Jeff Ballard, Jorge Rossi, Victor Lewis, Billy Hart, and many others. His latest CD, ‘TV Trio’ received glowing reviews in Downbeat Magazine and other publications.As well as performing together in several improvisational groups and jazz ensembles, John and Hank have successfully collaborated to create and perform live music for two silent film movies, ‘Nosferatu’ and ‘The Open Road’.
“Canadian John Stetch is one of the most brilliant and underrated jazz pianists working today.” Alain Druot – Clavier
“one of the best solo piano albums in years…” (‘Ukranianism’) Dan Oulette – Downbeat
For the past 46 years improvisational cellist Hank Roberts has been creating new sounds on the cello. His rhythmic, harmonic, emotional and timbrel approach to the cello distinguishes him as a unique voice on the instrument and in the world of new music. “One of the most respected improvising cellists on the international scene.” Jazz Express He’s created an extensive body of music as a composer and recording artist, and has collaborated and performed with world class artists such as Bill Frisell, Hal Willner, Tim Berne, Andy Summers, Gavin Friday, Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen, Gerry Hemingway, Mark Feldman, Mark Dresser, Joel Grey, Dave King and Ethan Iverson from “The Bad Plus”, Donna the Buffalo, Sim Redmond Band, Kevin Kinsella, Wingnut, and Ti Ti Chickapea. He is featured on Bill Frisell’s Grammy Award winning CD ‘Unspeakable” and Grammy nominated CD ‘History/Mystery’.
“There’s a wisdom and patience and catholicity in this record (“Green”). “It’s all one song,” goes the hip musician’s cliché, but Mr. Roberts walks that walk.” Ben Ratliff – NY Times
