29th August 2012: WWR signs ‘New Focus’ the genre-breaking project by Euan Stevenson & Konrad Wiszniewski ft. jazz quartet, The Glasgow String Quartet, and Harp, out on NOV 5

Whirlwind Recordings is pleased to announce:

‘New Focus:’ Original music for Jazz Quartet, String Quartet, & Harp

by Euan Stevenson (Piano, Composer, Arranger) & Konrad Wiszniewski (Saxes, Compositions, Featured Soloist)

Launches November 12, 2012: Worlwide

We’ve been busy getting ready for our fall program of releases and looking forward into the new year.  Next up for announcement is a super special, completely unique and powerful project that will be launched worldwide on Nov 5, 2012 that we expect to make big waves across the creative music world for its unadulterated beauty and sophistication.  ‘New Focus’ contains original compositions for Jazz Quartet, String Quartet and Harp, and is a collaboration between two Scotsmen in Euan Stevenson (who contributes as a pianist, composer, and arranger/orchestrator) and Konrad Wiszniewski (who contributes as saxophonist, composer and featured soloist).  Excitedly, Euan and Konrad were given the chance to work with one of the leading string quartets in Britain, The Glasgow String Quartet who add lush sounds, drama, and highlight performances as they cascade through the music, while interweaving with the jazz rhythm sections players as if it were second nature.   Rounding off the ensemble is the powerhouse rhythm team of Alyn Cosker on drums and our very own Michael Janisch on double bass, as well as the virtuoso harpist Alina Bzhezhinska. The end product is original music showcasing a myriad of sounds, mixing the harmonies of the classical world with jazz quartet rhythms and improvisation, all held together with the subtle references and influences of Celtic Music, from the two leader’s homeland. We’ve built the ‘New Focus’ album page, and now you can read more and listen to preview tracks of the entire album here.

OR Listen to Euan and Konrad tell you about the project in their own words on their new promo video for ‘New Focus’ below.

‘New Focus’ excitedly will be on tour for the rest of the year as well, including a headlining performance at the London Jazz Festival at the Pizza Express Jazz Club (we’ll look forward to seeing all 9 performers on that intimate stage for two houses!).  Here’s a flyer of what’s in store, and check our Events page for more information and concerts.

ABOUT ‘NEW FOCUS’

Glasgow based Saxophonist Konrad Wiszniewski joins forces with fellow Scottish compatriot pianist/arranger Euan Stevenson in launching their award winning, genre-bending musical adventure ‘New Focus’ on Whirlwind Recordings Ltd. Featuring a unique amalgamation of classical string quartet meets jazz quartet plus harp, ‘New Focus’ showcases a cinematic soundscape of through-composed melodies meeting cutting edge improvisation, drawing upon influences from across the musical spectrum. This hefty nine-piece ensemble excitedly features The Glasgow String Quartet, (comprising some of the finest virtuosos from The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and Scotland’s leading string quartet), alongside Stevenson on piano leading the first call drum and bass team of Alyn Cosker (drums) and Michael Janisch (bass), Wiszniewski at the helm on saxophones, and Alina Bzhezhinska on harp.
Stevenson’s tight knit arrangements offer concise, pleasing trajectories, preserving the original sentiment of each composition, enriching them with ever changing soundscapes of strings and harp. Wiszniewski’s tone (capable of sounding as sweet as Getz or as plaintive as Coltrane) tells parables of Polish ancestry while the arranger’s own crystalline piano laments for pit closures in a northern mining town. A powerhouse rhythm team (Michael Janisch, Alyn Cosker) provides a counterfoil, never allowing the music to become sentimental. This is music at its resourceful best; borrowing the harmonies and sonorities of the classical world, the tone poetry of Scottish Folk, the directness of pop, and all mixed with the bustling edginess of jazz rhythms and improvisation. Duke Ellington famously quipped that there were only two categories of music – good and bad. New Focus most definitely belongs to the former.

Following multiple 5-Star accolades for its inaugural performance at the 2011 Edinburgh International Jazz Festival,’New Focus’ launches on NOV. 5 2012 worldwide with full tour support. Whirlwind Recordings is pleased to release such a unique and powerful project.

“Outstanding original compositions by Wiszniewski and Stevenson… Wiszniewski brings world class fire and spontaneous creativity” ***** 5 Stars, The Herald.

“The most memorable concert of the 2011 Edinburgh International Jazz Festival…a real triumph” Jazzwise