The Wild Blue (SBE Records) features my seven-piece The Peter Sprague String Consort group. It's a gathering of two different worlds -- a group comprised of a classical string quartet and a jazz trio. The two worlds come together to explore a soundscape rich in harmony riding on the rhythmic pulse of the Brazilian samba and jazz swing. We've played over 20 shows in the last two years and have a unique body of music that we've finally recorded in my SpragueLand Studio. Here's a little background.
Back in the late '70's I was 20 years old and a member of a unique ensemble led by pianist Butch Lacy. He had the idea of pairing up a jazz rhythm section with a classical string quartet--bringing together two different traditions within one group. Butch wrote most of the music and with this ensemble came my first experience playing with string players in a chamber music setting. I loved the blend and I was intrigued by the possibilities.
In the mid 1980's after hearing Chick Corea's group with Gary Burton and a string quartet, I decided to explore this style of music through creating a group of my own. I took some time off to study scores by Chick, Bartok, and Debussy and then set out to come up with a body of my own music. A central thought I was working with was to make the string quartet's role in the group be front and center instead of operating the way I'd heard it done before in which the strings take a background string pad approach. Instead, I really wanted them in the middle of the hurricane carrying the melody and immersed in the syncopation.
After playing the concerts and fine-tuning the music during rehearsals this now brings us to the present with our first recording of the band. Bridget, Jeanne, Pam, Carter, Bob and Duncan have taken their amazing skills as musicians and combined that with their commitment and dedication and together I think we've created something very special. I'm thrilled to be in the loop with them exploring this new sonic territory.
Thanks for checking out our music.
Peter Sprague
Back in the late '70's I was 20 years old and a member of a unique ensemble led by pianist Butch Lacy. He had the idea of pairing up a jazz rhythm section with a classical string quartet--bringing together two different traditions within one group. Butch wrote most of the music and with this ensemble came my first experience playing with string players in a chamber music setting. I loved the blend and I was intrigued by the possibilities.
In the mid 1980's after hearing Chick Corea's group with Gary Burton and a string quartet, I decided to explore this style of music through creating a group of my own. I took some time off to study scores by Chick, Bartok, and Debussy and then set out to come up with a body of my own music. A central thought I was working with was to make the string quartet's role in the group be front and center instead of operating the way I'd heard it done before in which the strings take a background string pad approach. Instead, I really wanted them in the middle of the hurricane carrying the melody and immersed in the syncopation.
After playing the concerts and fine-tuning the music during rehearsals this now brings us to the present with our first recording of the band. Bridget, Jeanne, Pam, Carter, Bob and Duncan have taken their amazing skills as musicians and combined that with their commitment and dedication and together I think we've created something very special. I'm thrilled to be in the loop with them exploring this new sonic territory.
Thanks for checking out our music.
Peter Sprague
For more information contact Michael Bloom Media Relations.
