Jazz Suite no. 1
In December 2021, Christos I Kladas records his first collection of jazz dances, Jazz Suite No.1. For him, the jazz concert has the form of a suite, in that it is a collection of dances or rhythms. Following this logic, Christos set an improvisational agenda for a group of excellent Greek jazz musicians: Dimitris Papadopoulos (trumpet), Grigoris Theodoridis (double bass), Menios Gounaris (piano) and Dimitris Klonis (drums).
The suite opens with a free rhythmic introduction on a blues motif. The main theme follows in 7/4 time. The piece is called ''Adrian'' and is inspired by the great Australian trombonist Adrian Mears, who was Christos’ teacher and mentor composer.
The work continues with the harmonic treatment of the well-known Epirotian traditional song ''Kontoula Lemonia'', featured as an up-tempo modern jazz rhythm in 3/4.
Next comes the lyrical jazz ballad ''For my Father'', which is dedicated to the composer's father, and ''Wayne'', a composition in 5/4, named after the great African-American saxophonist, Wayne Shorter
In "Anatolikos", the popular oriental hijaskiar mode is harmonized with a jazz style and Latin rhythm.
The atmosphere changes dramatically with ''Black Phil'', a funk composition dedicated to the fraternal friend of the composer, Phil Griffin, but also to any black sheep of the family.
The suite closes with an up-tempo swing written during the recent quarantine, hence the title "Locked Down", and clearly inspired by Miles Davis' legendary 2nd Quintet.
"Jazz Suite No.1" was recorded on 21 & 22 December 2021 at Artracks studio, Athens, by Giorgos Priniotakis. Editing and mixing was done by Tassos Fotiou and mastering by Dimitris Dimopoulos. The album cover was designed by Konstantinos Moustakis, based on a photograph by Nikos Antonopoulos, depicting the beautiful Kastraki of Naxos. The work is dedicated to the mentors and musical companions of the composer.
You can listen to and download the whole album at https://christoskladas.bandcamp.com/album/jazz-suite-no-1
It is also available on Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, Deezer and Amazon.
Press the following link and enjoy for free: https://share.amuse.io/hmY-LygWDMcj
Contradictions
Christos Kladas (saxophones) - Giorgos Stavroulakis (guitar)
Saxophonist Christos Kladas and guitarist Giorgos Stavroulakis are two old friends, who constitute an extremely interesting jazz duo. With distinctly remarkable journeys in the field of Greek jazz, being multidimensional, inventive and full of energy and humour, they communicate their love for the art of improvisation, interpreting classic jazz compositions with a modern sound and style. They love to disagree, to expose their diversity and to co-exist musically through a game of exploring limits and searching for a utopian balance.
In the winter of 2022, they started filming and recording some of these classic jazz compositions with the main aim of documenting the evolution of this special duo.
The album begins strongly with Joe Henderson's “Black Narcissus” and continues with one of John Coltrane's most lyrical compositions, the iconic “Wise One”.
This is followed by an original arrangement of Benny Goldson's “Along Came Betty”, in 5/4, and Wayne Shorter's “Nefertiti”, performed as a ballad in contrast to the medium swing tempo of the original.
Here are three film themes that have evolved into popular jazz standards and are an integral part of the jazz tradition: Victor Young's “Stella by Starlight”, Sammy Cahn's “I Fall in Love Too Easily”, and Henry Mancini's “Days of Wine and Roses”.
The album closes with a surprise arrangement of the traditional Asia Minor song “Tzivaeri”, offered in two versions: instrumental and vocal, with the participation of the excellent jazz singer Nassia Gofa.
The recording, video recording, sound & image processing were done by Giorgos Stavroulakis at his home studio.
Sax Quartet +
Spyros Mourelatos (soprano) - Christos I Kladas (alto) - Grigoris Asimakopoulos (tenor) - Nikos Koulouris (baritone)
Small and large wind ensembles have always been a favorite pastime for the orchestrator and saxophonist, Christos I Kladas. In 2009, together with Spyros Mourelato (soprano), Grigoris Asimakopoulos (tenor) and Nikos Koulouris (baritone), he records a series of jazz standards arranged for saxophone quartet.
The album opens with the popular movie theme ''Speak Softly Love'' by Nino Rota, in swing version.
The quartet continues up tempo with Miles Davis' iconic ''Milestones'', which marks the age of tropical harmony in jazz.
Next comes the ballad “Virgo”, where Wayne Shorter's wonderfully complex harmonic sequences stand out.
The album continues in a funk mood with Herbie Hancock's danceable “Chameleon”.
George Gershwin's “Summertime” could not be missing from Christos' orchestral repertoire, a challenging composition for any arranger.
The album closes with bossanova rhythms and the popular “The Girl from Ipanema” by Antonio Carlos Jobim, and “Fly Me To The Moon” by Bart Howard.
Sound engineering, processing, mixing and mastering were done by Loizos Loizou in the composer's home studio. The album cover was designed by Konstantinos Moustakis.
The album is available on Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, Deezer and Amazon. Press the following link and enjoy for free https://share.amuse.io/EmKsE5nlngY3