Pat Thomas

Pat Thomas – BleySchool (2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 42:25 minutes | 906 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © 577 Records

The trio pays homage to legendary pianist Paul Bley, drawing on both his tunes and improvisational approach. Bley’s music encompassed latin-inspired grooves, deceptively simple and catchy melodies, as well as freer improvisations. His willingness to collaborate openly with European improvisers as well as being part of the American tradition was an attractive template to follow. Pat Thomas, Dominic Lash and Tony Orrell grew up in the UK with the children’s tv series Play School and when searching for a name for this album could not resist the pun – the inspiring figure of Bley combined with the element of childlike experimentation. When the group decided to record in Bristol, UK there was no discussion about what to play, other than keeping in mind the process Paul Bley used in his long career. This included the desire not to repeat himself, and to be open to all the opportunities afforded by playing with timeless tunes, de- and re-constructing them at will. Hence the shout-outs to Carla Bley, Ornette Coleman and Duke Ellington.
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Pat Thomas – Pat Thomas Plays Duke Ellington (2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 01:33:06 minutes | 766 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Otoroku

Pleased to present the full recording of Pat Thomas’ moving tribute to Duke Ellington on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of his birth. According to Thomas, Ellington “never stopped discovering, never played the same tune in exactly the same way twice”, and the same could be said here. The tunes are all there, but they emerge unpredictably, warped and hammered through the body of the piano in Pats own way. The second set was an hour long, with Pat rolling through ‘Rockin’ in Rhythm’, ‘Isfahan’ and ‘In a Sentimental Mood’ in a collage of heavy harmonics, serious swing and a wicked appreciation for exploration. An absolute pleasure to be in the room for this one, and tremendously happy to share the recording.
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