"It's hard to find a more fruitful meditation on
American music than in the compositions of
guitarist Bill Frisell. Mixing rock and country
with jazz and blues, he's found what connects
them: improvisation and a sense of play.
Unlike other pastichists, who tend to duck
passion, Mr. Frisell plays up the pleasure in
the music and also takes on another oftenavoided
subject, tenderness." - The New York
Times
"Frisell is a revered figure among musicians -
like Miles Davis and few others, his signature is built from pure sound and inflection; an...
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"It's hard to find a more fruitful meditation on
American music than in the compositions of
guitarist Bill Frisell. Mixing rock and country
with jazz and blues, he's found what connects
them: improvisation and a sense of play.
Unlike other pastichists, who tend to duck
passion, Mr. Frisell plays up the pleasure in
the music and also takes on another oftenavoided
subject, tenderness." - The New York
Times
"Frisell is a revered figure among musicians -
like Miles Davis and few others, his signature is built from pure sound and inflection; an
anti-technique that is instantly identifiable." - The Philadelphia Inquirer
"I like to have fun when I play and I like comedy - but it's not a conscious thing. I'm
basically a pretty shy person and I don't dance or get into fights. But there are all these
things inside me that get out when I perform. It's like a real world when I play, where I
can do all the things I can't do in real life." - Bill Frisell to The Village Voice
Over the years, Frisell has contributed to the work of such collaborators as Paul Motian,
John Zorn, Elvis Costello, Ginger Baker, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, Suzanne Vega,
Loudon Wainwright III, Van Dyke Parks, Vic Chesnutt, Rickie, Lee Jones, Ron
Sexsmith, Vinicius Cantuaria, Marc Johnson (in "Bass Desires"), Ronald Shannon
Jackson and Melvin Gibbs (in "Power Tools"), Marianne Faithful, John Scofield, Jan
Garbarek, Lyle Mays, Vernon Reid, Julius Hemphill, Paul Bley, Wayne Horvitz, Hal
Willner, Robin Holcomb, Rinde Eckert, The Frankfurt Ballet, film director Gus Van
Sant, David Sanborn, David Sylvian, Petra Haden and numerous others, including Bono,
Brian Eno, Jon Hassell and Daniel Lanois on the soundtrack for Wim Wenders film
Million Dollar Hotel.
This work has established Frisell as one of the most
sought-after guitar voices in contemporary music. The
breadth of such performing and recording situations is
a testament not only to his singular guitar conception,
but his musical versatility as well. This, however, is
old news by now. In recent years, it is Frisell's role as
composer and band leader which has garnered him
increasing notoriety.
"For over ten years Bill Frisell has quietly been the
most brilliant and unique voice to come along in jazz
guitar since Wes Montgomery. In light of this, it
may be easy to overlook the fact that he may also
be one of the most promising composers of
American music on the current scene." -
Stereophile
Kenny Wollesen is a drummer, vibraphonist, percussionist and instrument builder based in New York City. He is the founder of the Wollesonic Laboratories wollesonic.com and the mastermind behind Sonic Massages and the Himalayas marching band. He has worked with John Zorn, Norah Jones, Tom Waits, Sean Lennon, Ben Goldberg, Steve Bernstein, Jonas Mekas, Butch Morris, Ilhan Ersahin, Hal Wilner, Eivind Opsvik, John Medeski, Jim Hall and has been a vital member of Bill Frisell's ensembles and projects for over 15 years.
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