John
Aram is a British born trombonist, composer, band leader and educator.
He is now based in Geneva, Switzerland where he works regularly
with some of the jazz greats from the UK, Europe and the USA such
as Tim Garland, Kenny Wheeler, Daniel Humair, Andy Scherrer, Léo
Tardin, Josh Roseman, Tom Arthurs and many more.
John has several projects on the go at the moment and is currently
directing, composing and playing with his ten-piece group "The
Geneva Downtown Orchestra" made up of some of the most exciting
Swiss players from the younger generation. They have performed
this year with Kenny Wheeler. Check out the dates
with this group in 2007.
A new suite of music for John's "Geneva Downtown Orchestra"
by Josh Roseman is an exciting project that brings the big band
really into the 21th Century with some amazing and innovative
writing from Josh. This band will be performing Josh's music (hopefully
with Josh) in March/April 2007. Watch out for dates
on this web site.
Britain’s new star player and composer Tom Arthurs is also
writing new music for the “Geneva Down Town Orchestra”.
Tom has performed several times with the band and this music is
sure to be challenging and fun for both band and public.
John has been working again with the great Tim Garland and is
very lucky that Tim is writing a new suite for the String Project
along with great British Pianist Gwilym Simcock. We are looking
forward very much to recording this music.
John is touring with his new Quintet in 2007 with guest Andy Sherrer
and Colin Vallon, Norbert Pfammatter and British Bassist Phil
Donkin :check out dates in April
2007.
The duo with French pianist Michel Bastet is an ongoing relationship
where they explore a more standard repertoire but with the freedom
that only this format can produce.
John regularly does guest appearances as a big band director and
has built a reputation conducting the repertoire of Duke Ellington.
He regularly directs workshops and Master classes at high school,
college and professional levels and is available for booking
through this web site.
Comments about the “Dancing with the Moon” CD :
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"Aram
proves himself to be an inventive and technically impressive
trombonist as well as a fine composer”. JAZZWISE Magazine,
March 2006
“It really is very good. Your playing and your compositions
are superb.”
Guy Barker, trumpet player, composer and recording artist.
“This is the kind of ambitious writing that keeps
the trombone sound fresh in peoples imagination.”
Steve Davis. Trombone player Chick Corea band.
“A formidable CD.”
Mark Nightingale. Leading UK trombonist. |
"Le leader est tromboniste, passionné par le jazz,
il voue un certain culte à J.-J. Johnson, tout en ayant
fréquenté l'univers symphonique et la musique
de chambre. Il associe à son projet un ensemble à
cordes de Genève en plus de son quintet comprenant Tim
Garland (sax, b, cl), Leo Tardin (p), Norbert Pfammatter (dr),
Ivor Malherbe (b). L'ensemble interprète ses compositions,
plus trois autres. Une musique à part d'une modernité
complaisante en quintet, mais plus sophistiquée avec
les cordes qui lui donnent un ton chaleureux, romantique, très
agréable. Superbes "Lament", "Mary's Song".
Une direction justifiée a double vision qui mérite
que l'on applaudisse."
Selection Jazz Notes. Le disque du mois.
"Wie Ferris ist auch sein Instrumentalkollege John Aram
ein Expatriate: Der in London ausgebildete Brite zog nach einem
längeren Spanienaufenthalt 1996 nach Genf, wo er seither
lebt. Auf seinem Altrisuoni-Album «Dancing With The Moon»
(Phonag) präsentiert sich der geschmeidige Bläser
als Komponist abgeklärt-entspannter Jazztunes, die liebevoll
arrangiert sind, wobei Aram ein überdurchschnittlich ausgebildetes
melodisches Flair unter Beweis stellt. Seine «Komplizen»,
die das beschriebene Papier erst zum Leben erwecken, sind die
Schweizer Cracks Léo Tardin (p), Ivor Malherbe (b) und
Norbert Pfammatter (dr) sowie der britische Saxofonist Tim Garland,
gegenwärtig selbst eine der beachtenswertesten Federn auf
der Szene. Auf drei der insgesamt zehn Titel hat sich Leader
Aram einer besonderen Herausforderung gestellt, indem er die
Geneva Strings in sein Konzept einbezog: Ein Wagnis, das die
Vorbehalte gegenüber einer solchen Besetzung mildert, wenn
es sie auch nicht ganz auszuräumen vermag."
BUND. 02.08.2005
The
Geneva Down Town Orchestra
avec l'appui de la Ville de Genève - Département
des affaires culturelles
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