SAVOY JAZZ ARTISTS, FLY, TO PERFORM @ THE VILLAGE VANGUARD
September 14-19

“As Larry Grenadier and Jeff Ballard create a pipeline of supple rhythms, Mark Turner milks serenity and dispenses ingenuity.” Village Voice 2/2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-- One of the most auspicious new bands in jazz, Fly, is a collective trio comprised of drummer Jeff Ballard, bassist Larry Grenadier and tenor saxophonist Mark Turner. They’re three of the most creative and forward-thinking young musicians in jazz today and will perform a rare series of dates at the Village Vanguard September 14-19. There are two shows nightly at 9pm and 11pm. As evidenced on their self-titled debut album, they are imagining outside the box and playing with the kind of freedom and joie de vivre that jazz deserves—and requires. “Fly” is out now on Savoy Jazz.

“Fly is progressively bringing together many musical elements, traditions, histories and mysteries,” says Turner. “Multiplicity is presented under an unassuming hat. In other words, we are working toward saying it all without saying it all, expressing complexity by simplicity. Musically speaking, we are creating songs that can be heard on a number of levels and from a variety of different viewpoints.”

Ballard also points out that Fly expands on the trio format. “There is a density in our songs and arrangements. With few instruments, we create a full ensemble sound.”

“Fly” is released on the newly resuscitated Savoy Jazz label. Turner, the saxophonist has proven to be a strong and fresh voice on the jazz scene. He has also collaborated frequently with guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel on his albums. Both Grenadier and Ballard boast impressive resumes, the former with Pat Metheny, Joshua Redman and Brad Mehldau, the latter with Chick Corea, Danilo Perez, Guillermo Klein and Redman. Remarkably, Fly marks their debut disc as leaders.

Fly features the trio members listening and responding to each other in frolicsome manner. There’s an exuberance and spring to the tunes, which no doubt is due in part to the close friendships within the band and the fact that the trio recorded live in the same studio room with a minimum of overdubbing. “We wanted to be as live as possible,” says Grenadier. “There are a few overdubs, including a kalimba in one tune, but we wanted to capture Fly live, to get that sound and feel we have when we play together.”