BUSNOYS
While taking its name from a 15th century Burgundian composer Busnoys is very much a 21st century jazz group. The band is fronted by vibraphone player Martin Pyne, a passionate and engaging improviser, who makes imaginative use of electronic processing to take his instrument into unexpected sonic territories. Pyne is a member of innovative improvising trio Dangerous Kitchen with saxophone legend Stan Sulzmann and percussionist Simon Allen, and has also made a lot of music for contemporary dance, notably for choreographer Sheron Wray and her company JazzXchange.
Bass guitar man Jim Barr is known for his superb work with the multi award winning Get The Blessing, who have been playing to packed houses at home and abroad. He is also bass player for Portishead's live shows. The improvisational freedom he enjoys within Busnoys reveals sides to his musical personality that even his fans may not be aware of. Drummer Trevor Davies has long been a mainstay of the thriving Bristol jazz scene, much in demand for his subtle touch and sensitivity, and his willingness to play at ALL dynamic levels. In recent times he has worked with Anita Wardell, Iain Ballamy, John Paricelli and Art Themen.
The trio's repertoire is based around the compositions of Martin Pyne, but also includes some individual takes on the music of Thelonious Monk, and occassionaly a judicously chosen standard. Pyne's themes aim to create strongly focused atmospheres for the players to explore through improvisation. Possible reference points within jazz history include the aforementioned Monk, Eric Dolphy, Bobby Hutcherson, Paul Motian and Bill Frisell, while beyond those boundaries the music draws on influences as diverse as John Cage, Balinese gamelan, Americana, electronica, and European free improv.
The range of the compositions, coupled with the imagination of the players make for a rich and evocative soundworld, full of freewheeling melodic improvisation, and evocative atmospheres, at one moment groovy and swinging, the next atmospheric and tender.
