"Living up to its title, Range makes a compelling case for McCann's manifold abilities, as a crack improviser... a noteworthy composer and a magnanimous bandleader." -Troy Collins, All About Jazz
GUITARIST/COMPOSER/BANDLEADER PETE MCCANN ON TOUR IN SUPPORT OF HIS FIFTH RECORDING, RANGE
Range is available now on Whirlwind Recordings.
CD RELEASE CELEBRATION TOUR
“McCann pulls out all the stops on his solos here, which can range from dancing lines to driving rock chords." —Jeffrey Siegel, Straight No Chaser
“Pete McCann has been around quite a while as a Cinderella sideman in New York. You might have seen him at the 55 Bar. But despite having quite a few albums chalked up under his own name, on Range he certainly does go to the ball." —Stephen Graham, Marlbank
“A tasty set that let's the chops fly with that kind of flow that makes it sound easier than it is, the different styles on display here come together as a nice whole and sitting down jazz has a new high water mark to behold." —Midwest Record
“...the Eau Claire, Wisconsin, native continues to make strong personal statements with his sophisticated harmonic sensibility, blistering chops and improvisational daring." —Bill Milkowski, Guitar Player Magazine
“McCann's tunes can be both manic and vivid, even when they're in ballad mode. That gives his stuff a cinematic feel - from car chase squall to closing credits poignancy - you often feel like you're walking through a film when this quintet hits its stride." —Jim Macnie, Village Voice
“This and virtually every tune offered during the performance revealed McCann to be a song writer of considerable gifts."—Steve Feeney, Portland Herald Press
“This talented, multi-faceted group deserves wider attention." —Jack Massarik, Jazzwise Magazine
Range, available now on Whirlwind Recordings, marks jazz guitarist Pete McCann's fifth release as a leader. Range, which finds McCann exploring the breadth and depth of his formidable artistry as a guitarist, composer and bandleader, features an incomparable cast of some of New York City's finest musicians; John O'Gallagher-alto sax, Henry Hey-piano, Rhodes and organ, Matt Clohesy-acoustic & electric bass and Mark Ferber-drums.
The music on Range encompasses a wide variety of musical styles and genres, showcasing McCann's and the ensemble's “range" as they expertly and delightfully delve into straight- ahead, post-bop, avant-garde, Latin, and jazz-rock fusion. Range is the follow up to McCann's previous critically-acclaimed releases, Extra Mile (Nineteen-Eight), Most Folks (Omnitone), Parable and You Remind Me of Someone (both on Palmetto). Range opens with the driving, melodious, Kenny, an homage to the late, great, Kenny Wheeler, with whom McCann had the good fortune to study with in 1988 at the Banff Summer Jazz Workshop. He later performed and recorded with Wheeler in a large ensemble led by the Belgian saxophonist, Erwin Vann in 1997. Wheeler's unique sound on the trumpet and flugelhorn, and his beautiful compositional style, resonates with McCann on a very personal level, as reflected in this composition. Seventh Jar was inspired by the Indian spiritual tale in which a man finds six and a half jars filled with gold. He becomes obsessed with filling the seventh jar never realizing that he should stop and have gratitude for what he already has. McCann and the ensemble perfectly capture the mystery of this ancient story with a contemplative, searching melody. Realm “was written with the great pianist Richie Beirach in mind. I am a longtime fan of Richie's playing and his dark harmonic sensibility," explained McCann. Like most musicians of McCann's caliber, he is an avid listener, and To the Mountains was inspired by a melodic fragment he heard on God Bless America. It is the guitarist's tribute to the true sonic genius of guitarist Bill Frisell, and will stand as a testament to McCann's talent in taking a small melodic fragment and crafting a beautiful, contemplative ballad from it. Mustard is a lively tune with an interesting set of odd meters at the end of the A section: 7/8, 6/8 and 7/8. The bass riff centers around the major 3rd axis split, Ab/C/E.
About Pete McCann
A native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, McCann has been an integral part of the New York City jazz scene for more than twenty-five years, during which time he has been a first-call sideman, and an indispensable part of over eighty CDs. He has performed throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe from the most prestigious clubs and jazz festivals, to musicals, award shows, and even an opera. McCann regularly works with Grace Kelly, Chris Tarry, Melissa Stylianou, Dan Willis, Ben Kono, Asuka Kakitani and Alison Wedding, and has performed with some of the greatest in jazz, including Kenny Wheeler, Dave Liebman, Lee Konitz, Patti Austin, Bobby Previte, Brian Blade, and the Maria Schneider Orchestra. He received his Bachelors of Music degree from the University of North Texas, has studied at the Banff School of the Arts, and currently teaches at City College of New York and the New School in New York City.
Range is available now on Whirlwind Recordings.
CD RELEASE CELEBRATION TOUR
- Nov 3 - 8PM - Marshall University, Huntington, WV
- Nov 4 - 9PM - Denison University, Granville, OH
- Nov 5 - 3:30PM - Clinic at Kent State Univ. Recital Hall, Kent, OH
- Nov 5 - 8PM - Blu Jazz, Akron, OH
- Nov 6 - Clinic for Jazz Arts Group, Columbus, OH
- Nov 7 - 10PM - Natalie's, Columbus, OH
- Nov 8 - 5PM - Bungalow Jazz, Columbus, OH
- Nov 9 - 5PM - Clinic at The Greenwich, Cincinnati, OH
- Nov 9 - 7:30PM - The Greenwich, Cincinnati, OH
- Nov 12 - 6PM - Birdland, NYC
- Dec 9 & 10 - 9:30PM - The Rex Hotel, Toronto, Canada
“McCann pulls out all the stops on his solos here, which can range from dancing lines to driving rock chords." —Jeffrey Siegel, Straight No Chaser
“Pete McCann has been around quite a while as a Cinderella sideman in New York. You might have seen him at the 55 Bar. But despite having quite a few albums chalked up under his own name, on Range he certainly does go to the ball." —Stephen Graham, Marlbank
“A tasty set that let's the chops fly with that kind of flow that makes it sound easier than it is, the different styles on display here come together as a nice whole and sitting down jazz has a new high water mark to behold." —Midwest Record
“...the Eau Claire, Wisconsin, native continues to make strong personal statements with his sophisticated harmonic sensibility, blistering chops and improvisational daring." —Bill Milkowski, Guitar Player Magazine
“McCann's tunes can be both manic and vivid, even when they're in ballad mode. That gives his stuff a cinematic feel - from car chase squall to closing credits poignancy - you often feel like you're walking through a film when this quintet hits its stride." —Jim Macnie, Village Voice
“This and virtually every tune offered during the performance revealed McCann to be a song writer of considerable gifts."—Steve Feeney, Portland Herald Press
“This talented, multi-faceted group deserves wider attention." —Jack Massarik, Jazzwise Magazine
Range, available now on Whirlwind Recordings, marks jazz guitarist Pete McCann's fifth release as a leader. Range, which finds McCann exploring the breadth and depth of his formidable artistry as a guitarist, composer and bandleader, features an incomparable cast of some of New York City's finest musicians; John O'Gallagher-alto sax, Henry Hey-piano, Rhodes and organ, Matt Clohesy-acoustic & electric bass and Mark Ferber-drums.
The music on Range encompasses a wide variety of musical styles and genres, showcasing McCann's and the ensemble's “range" as they expertly and delightfully delve into straight- ahead, post-bop, avant-garde, Latin, and jazz-rock fusion. Range is the follow up to McCann's previous critically-acclaimed releases, Extra Mile (Nineteen-Eight), Most Folks (Omnitone), Parable and You Remind Me of Someone (both on Palmetto). Range opens with the driving, melodious, Kenny, an homage to the late, great, Kenny Wheeler, with whom McCann had the good fortune to study with in 1988 at the Banff Summer Jazz Workshop. He later performed and recorded with Wheeler in a large ensemble led by the Belgian saxophonist, Erwin Vann in 1997. Wheeler's unique sound on the trumpet and flugelhorn, and his beautiful compositional style, resonates with McCann on a very personal level, as reflected in this composition. Seventh Jar was inspired by the Indian spiritual tale in which a man finds six and a half jars filled with gold. He becomes obsessed with filling the seventh jar never realizing that he should stop and have gratitude for what he already has. McCann and the ensemble perfectly capture the mystery of this ancient story with a contemplative, searching melody. Realm “was written with the great pianist Richie Beirach in mind. I am a longtime fan of Richie's playing and his dark harmonic sensibility," explained McCann. Like most musicians of McCann's caliber, he is an avid listener, and To the Mountains was inspired by a melodic fragment he heard on God Bless America. It is the guitarist's tribute to the true sonic genius of guitarist Bill Frisell, and will stand as a testament to McCann's talent in taking a small melodic fragment and crafting a beautiful, contemplative ballad from it. Mustard is a lively tune with an interesting set of odd meters at the end of the A section: 7/8, 6/8 and 7/8. The bass riff centers around the major 3rd axis split, Ab/C/E.
About Pete McCann
A native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, McCann has been an integral part of the New York City jazz scene for more than twenty-five years, during which time he has been a first-call sideman, and an indispensable part of over eighty CDs. He has performed throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe from the most prestigious clubs and jazz festivals, to musicals, award shows, and even an opera. McCann regularly works with Grace Kelly, Chris Tarry, Melissa Stylianou, Dan Willis, Ben Kono, Asuka Kakitani and Alison Wedding, and has performed with some of the greatest in jazz, including Kenny Wheeler, Dave Liebman, Lee Konitz, Patti Austin, Bobby Previte, Brian Blade, and the Maria Schneider Orchestra. He received his Bachelors of Music degree from the University of North Texas, has studied at the Banff School of the Arts, and currently teaches at City College of New York and the New School in New York City.
For more information contact Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity.
