Artist description jazz/free jazz/free improvisation/noise/experimental

Music Style free jazz/free improvisation/noise/experimental

Musical Influences Ornette Coleman, Albert Ayler,Roscoe Mitchell, Art Ensemble of Chicago

Similar Artists NRG Ensemble, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Peter Brotzman's Die like a Dog Quartet, Gateway

Artist History The band started with a trio consisting of bass, drums and guitar which then augmented after meeting Maury Coles who plays alto sax. Since the band formed 2 yrs ago in Toronto/Stratford ON area they have played in numerous places in the southwestern Ontario Canada area including the late great Music Gallery, the late great Saturday series at the Idler Pub organized by clarinetist Rhonda Rhindone, the Cameron House where Maury holds his Monday night improv jam ( he also held a free improv jam back in the 70's at a place called the Sandpiper). Abstract also had the opportunity to play at the opening of the Entropy Stereo Performance space in Hamtramck Detroit. The Abstract CD is played regularily on stations in Toronto as well as places scattered across Canada and the States.

Group Members Maury Coles - (Alto Sax) Born and raised in Toronto. Studied composition and theory at San Francisco college. A solo saxophone recording , Onari 003, has received critical acclaim in North America and Europe. "...he exerts consummate control so that in the strangest overtone passages, split tones, and fast runs, his note defintion is exceptionally precise... his precision and his urge to discover personal lyricism in all of his ways of producing sound are unique qualities." John Litweiler, DownBeat, November (1981). Maury spent several years in London, England touring the continent and performing with other improvisors in Paris(Le Quan Ninh), Ghent(Godfried-Willem Raes), Lisbon (Carlos Zingaro) and throughout England with a trio of Marcio Mattos on bass and Eddie Prevost on drums, "... shows formidable ability on the instrument, with a total range and tone and expression... a remarkable recital of his powers." Bill Henderson, London, England (1981). Coles contribution to the new music scene of Toronto in the 70's and early 80's has been noted in the prestigous publication ENCYLOPEDIA OF CANADIAN MUSIC as well as the book "The Freedom Principle". Colin Fisher - Tenor Sax, Bouzouki, Guitar, Jason Hammer - Upright Bass, Justin Rebelo - Percussion

Instruments Alto &Tenor Sax, Bouzouki, Guitar, Bass, Percussion

Albums Abstract (Self-Titled), Maury Coles Solo Saxophone Record (Onari Records)

Press Reviews "...some nice music is coming out of Toronto these days. Veteran Improvisor Coles is an Alto saxophonist who plays with a sense of immediacy without sacrificing tone or underlying lyricism when heard unwinding over the chaotic din of his cohorts. Guitarist Colin Fisher has a gift for cajoling all sorts of mayhem from his instrument and bassist Jason Hammer and drummer Justin Rebelo can hold down the fort when necessary, but are no less potent when supplying a noisy carpet of sonic terror beneath their colleagues." Jon Morgan CODA magazine Jan/Feb 2001 issue 295 "Not dissimilar to the NRG Ensemble's vigourous blend of composition and improvisation, Maury Coles and Abstract's approach contains both well-defined jazz paths and abstract improv excursions. Coles is a saxophonist whose jazz explorations began in the 70's in Toronto. He resided on the west coast for much of the 80's and 90's, but now finds himself back in Toronto, leading younger players through some exciting music. All four members contribute compostions, as well as their expertise on their chosen instruments. Electric guitarist Colin Fisher, Bassist Jason Hammer, and drummer Justin Rebelo each rise to the occasion with spontaneity and skill, whether pulling out all the avant-garde stops in "Fractured Breath" or capturing the restrained noir echos in "C.C.Keys." Coles invests his axe with his unique sense of tonal poetry, sometimes lyrical, sometimes abstract, sometimes acutely sensitive and sometimes devastatingly bombastic. In short, theirs may not be household names, but their free-jazz creations are as exciting and invigorating as any you'd care to catch in an intimate setting." Greg Baise. Detroit Metro Times "Abstract are on the crest of newly founded neo-abstration and reinvented free music movement. A re-birth of the ultra-cool, finding sounds from the soul. Abstract has mined the ability to express their marks through a calculated pluck, squeal and howl. The sound they produce proves that precision is the key element in the new music phenomena. Abstract is an educated music where our ears read the canvas. The language never runs away in the improvisations. The sonic paintings become a coherent narrative, one which we're allowed to interpret. Years of experience, along with youthfull exuberence, have produced a clear and concise new language. A language that encompasses colours as building blocks to create a ground in the music. The drips of Pollack, to the sonic church of Ornette, Abstract pilfers history to liberate musical language from tradition and convention." Mike Hanson, Why Not? Jazz program CKLN-FM Toronto ON Canada

Location Toronto, ON - Canada

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