Artist description Slant is wonderfully challenging music that encouragesthe listener not only to hear it, but to participate in it. By utilizing "cells" of music that , while related, are fully independantof each other, Lou and Mike are able to manipulate their instruments and carry on a unique dialogue. The "cells" form the language that Slant uses to communicate with and the conversation is free to go in any direction. Some of the music is very structured,following the rules of traditional music theory, while other works are a "slang" that might at first seem challenging to the listener. But, as modern dictionaries reflect, our language is constantly changing to best express what is happening now. With this in mind, after a few listens the audience will understand what Slant is all about.

Music Style Avant-garde , Post Rock

Musical Influences Ornette Coleman , John Coltrane , Jimi Hendrix

Similar Artists King Crimson , Bill Frissell , Nels Cline

Artist History Louis Larson , inspired by modern classical music and free-form Jazz, founded Slant as an outlet for his eclectic style of composition. Slant hasenjoyed quite a bit of success in the past 2 yearswith lots of gigging that culminated in a performance at New York City's premier avant-gardeJazz club The Knitting Factory. Slant has also been nominated for two CAMMY Awardsand received the number four "Album of the Year" by Citybeat Magazine.

Group Members Lou Larson- guitar, Mike Georgin-bass, Mark Samson-drums

Albums "Glossalalia"

Press Reviews Slanted and Enchanted "Local trio Slant will celebrate the release of their CD Glossalalia with a show at York St. Cafeon Saturday.The group - featuring former Plow On Boy and Over The Rhine bassist Mike Georgin and guitarist Lou Larson (Mark Samson plays drums on the record while Greg Slone joins the band for Saturday's show) - is often called a jazz band, but there's much more to the group, as their debut delectably shows.'Look Homeward' opens the set on a fairly straight forward note, with Georgin's climbing bass lines, Samson's syncopated drums and Larson's angular guitar meshing as you'd expect a jazz ensemble to, save the half-time, dreamy middle section. It's great stuff, but it's what follows that really sets thetone for the record and represents Slant's strength and originality. Slant's explorations in jazz fusion are led by Larson's guitar, which incorporates jazz and rock scaling in a way that is reminiscent of Robert Fripp's innovative work in King Crimson and as a solo artist. Larson's fluttering, circular signatures are utterly hypnotic at times, giving the compositions their mesmerizing quality. Georgin and Samson carry the tracks to new dimensions by creatively working around Larson's sumptuous string work in ways that are unexpected and original, with Georgin playing Tony Levin to Larson's Fripp and Samson providing more than just a simple backbeat.'Snipe Hunt' explodes into a whirlwind of rhythmic noise, sounding like a mushroom trip where someone blindfolds you, spins you around and sets you loose in an industrial warehouse (in, you know, a good way). 'Triple XXX' is a surprisingly heavy dirge, while 'Why?' is more sparse and somewhat ambient, rising and falling with a sublime tension. Another highlight is 'Gorilla Sweater,' which builds into a manic, groove meditation with muscular, doubled-up bass and guitar riffing blissfully pushing the boundaries between jazz and hard rock. The rounded riffs and versatile musicianship might remind some of Phish's more intricate instrumental breaks, but Slant indeed has more in common with a jazz band than any of today's jam-oriented groove acts. The group's engulfing, intriguing sound sculptures are a welcome and refreshingly unique addition to the Cincinnati music scene. - Mike Breen, Cincinnati's Citybeat Magazine "Slant is Cincinnati-based Jazz Fusion band led by guitarist Lou Larson, with Mike Georgin on bass and Mark Samson on drums. The group was recently nominated for two Cincinnati Music Association awards- Best Small Jazz Combo and Best Instrumentalist. Larson's King Crimson inspired improvisations are at times angry, angular and hypnotic, and at other times lyrically heartfelt. There is a good comfort level between the players and a tight group sound. These guys must play ALOT together. "Snipe Hunt" is a tune torn straight from the pages of a Tribal Tech / Return to Forever fakebook, while "Triple XXX" straddles the line between John Zorn and Black Sabbath. Bassist Mike Georgin has a nice tone and is a well-rounded musician capable of wearing all of the hats ( and sometimes be willing to throw them out the window ) necessary to play music with this level of freedom. Check out the slinky swing thing Georgin and Samson get going on their version of Coltrane's "Equinox". This is a good group that should seek the attention of a Jazz label." - Bass Frontiers Magazine "Improvisational bands are a high-risk proposition. It's a rare to find musicians who can come up with compelling compositions and also have the chops to spin solos that don't lose momentum. But from the opening track of their debut CD, Lou Larson, Mike Georgin, and Mark Samson show they've got what it takes." Three and a half stars (out of four). - Larry Nager, Cincinnati Enquirer "What impresses me most about this music is the emotional content. No matter how technically fascinating the band plays, you're always aware of the emotional power behind the technique." - Art Gore, drummer with George Benson, Lonnie Liston Smith.

Location Cincinnati, Ohio - USA

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