PopJazz by Tennyson & Keiser

Keyboard wizard John Gentry Tennyson succeeds time after time in giving each tune the desired colour, idiomatic legitimacy and of course making his own mark when it comes to melodics, technique and harmonic embellishment. It therefore comes as no surprise that these two musicians have found each other. And it is even less of a surprise that this duo works organically and perfectly together. The description «Popjazz» thus acquires a legitimate meaning. Even in a remote sense more than often, all compositions lean on patterns which derive from the upper class of pop music. The rhythmic aspect stays within the guidelines of funk, soul and last but not least jazz rock. Tennyson and Keiser are on their way to showing new and absolutely justifiable perspectives within the musical understanding of pop and jazz during the past twenty years. Both protagonists do it with all the means they both possess on an extremely high level. The times have changed - even though creativity, innovation and enormous ability are still very much in demand. Both Tennyson and Keiser are devoted to a task which, when given a closer look, makes just as much sense as the pop interpretations of the great masters during the Fifties. The small and subtle difference is that while many different aspects can be studied on this production, the main thing that counts is the direction in which it goes. Everything else is a musical definition of the position and a creative expression of two excellent musicians."

-Kurt Weil/Jazz Magazine/Zurich 2003

REVIEWS

"John Gentry Tennyson maintains his ranking as the finest pianist on earBuzz.com and one of the most creative and talented musicians of our era. His latest CD, "PopJazz", a collaboration with bassist extraordinaire, Peter Keiser, is yet another representation of his always moving scope.

Our favorite track is the 4th - an instrumental called, "Lili Belle". It is a moving locomotive of relaxing energy and modulation. Tennyson predominantly plays towards new age with minor keys that cascade uniformly with the wash of percussion as backdrop but then adds texture and major resolutions within the composition that peek briefly out from their new age home. "Lili Belle" is a mixture of serious contemplation peppered with smiles.

The simple dance of "Maur" starts bare and Irish, with Slavic sensibilities in it's evolution. The dance makes room for back beat groove about two minutes in - and the listener finds himself in 40's New York, smoke-filled and beat crazy. The tune starts with structure and purity and ends in chaotic jazz joy.

"Je Suis Fatigue" and "Last Good-Bye" are classic contemplative Tennyson. "Good-Bye" grooves new - and John takes the space to discover improvisational areas that we haven't heard in the tune prior. Wonderful.

The title track, "PopJazz", is most ambitious track on the CD. An envelope filter swallows Keiser's bass lines with funk. Tennyson layers piano with marimba. Percussion/drums throughout support the movement and the instrumental vamp in the center gives John a chance to 'Rhodes' his musical love into aural pleasure.

Aisha de Haas provides vocals on tracks, "Summer, Winter, Fall. & Spring" and "I Met Someone Wonderful". Her vocals are smoky and sultry and remind us of Anita Baker.

Great CD."

-Don Kimenker/earBuzz.com/October 2004

BIOGRAPHIES

JOHN GENTRY TENNYSON

During his youth, John Gentry Tennyson from Houston, Texas devoted himself to classical music. Highly celebrated as an up-and-coming star, he played with the University of Houston Symphony Orchestra at the tender age of 11 and started his career as a professional pianist when he turned 14 years old. During his college years he developed a great enthusiasm for jazz music. Due to his overwhelming technique acquired by means of intense studies of classical literature and his stupendous musicality, he soon became a highly sought-after jazz pianist. He played with Les Paul, Rodney Jones, Dewey Redman, Randy Brecker, Jennifer Holliday, Al Di Meola, Mel Lewis, Bucky Pizarelli, Mark O'Connor, Terri Lyne Carrington, Tom Harrell, Will Lee, Hiram Bullock, and many more well-known jazz greats. His interest in many different musical styles and his enormous capability to develop his own skills took him down various musical avenues. He soon became Musical Director on tours with the pop singer Sophie B. Hawkins and also accompanied cross-over sensation diva, Sarah Brightman, as well as soul star, Diana Ross. Parallel to these prestigious engagements, he became more and more dedicated to composition: Subtle and sensitive CD productions with his Real World Trio and the project «Europa» together with a string quartet and the extraordinary bandoneon player, Raul Jaurena, are the first two albums this exceptional musician has released under his own name. John Gentry Tennyson can by rights be called a gifted instrumentalist who combines varied musical influences with unique and brilliant technique. At the same time he always remains faithful to his melodic and rhythmic concepts which are not tainted by technical effects but rather impress and inspire in a poetic sense with incredible musical finesse. These characteristics are fully featured on his new project «Tennyson & Keiser» which he founded together with Swiss bass player, Peter Keiser.

PETER KEISER

Peter Keiser was born, together, with his twin brother, Walter Keiser, into a highly acoustic world and tried at first with all his own might to dodge the professional voice of his mother and the dissonant clanging of his brother. These initial steps into the brothers' musical career came to an abrupt halt due to the biological reasons of growing up. But as the yodelling mom, Martheli Mumenthaler (even today still very well known by many Swiss people!), was at the peak of her career and continued to fill up the household with her powerful voice, Peter was condemned to play the role of a passive musician. When he turned 16, the experiment was called off to try and convert Peter into a concert pianist - at long last he was given an electric bass. Soon the first band saw the light of day, comprising the twins Peter and Walter (on drums) as well as guitarist Walter Rohrbach. Initial successes encouraged them to carry on ... In 1974, Peter and Walter founded the group «SHIVANANDA» together with Kurt Baebi and thus entered the world of professional music-making. Today, Peter Keiser is a household name in the musical department so lovingly known as «Rhythm Section». His steady and groovy bass has elevated and been a part of many productions, i.e. Polo Hofer, Andreas Vollenweider, SINA, Vera KAA, DODO HUG, Klaus Hoffmann & Reinhard Mey, Yvonne Moore, Phil Carmen, Bill Cobham, Gölä III, Aextra, Werner Widmer and many more. Since 2002, Peter has devoted most of his precious time to the project «Tennyson & Keiser», which he founded together with John Gentry Tennyson.

ALBUM INFORMATION

Band Personnel:

Piano/Rhodes/Organ-John Gentry Tennyson

Electric Basses-Peter Keiser

Drums (NYC)-Ron Thaler

Drums (Zurich)-Walter Keiser

Percussion (NYC)-Joe Cardello

Percussion (Zurich)-Andi Pupato

Electric Guitar-Marc Shulman

Vocals-Aisha de Haas, Reggie Royal & Muriel Fowler

Recorded by Jim Clouse at Park West Studios/Brooklyn, NY, and Helge Dyk at PowerPlay Studios/Maur, Switzerland and BaselCityStudios/Basel Switzerland.

Mixed by Walter Rohrbach at TO Studio/Zurich and Jim Clouse at Park West Studios/Brooklyn.

Mastered by Kurt Lundvall at Lundvall Audiophile Recording & Mastering, Ltd.

Produced by John Gentry Tennyson and Peter Keiser.

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