Scenic Journey
Release Date: April 07, 2004
Steve Giordano Symbiosis
Steve Giordano - Guitar
John Swana - EVI (electronic valve controller) , keyboards
Tony Micelli - KAT (a vibes-like controller), keyboards
Bob Meashey - Trumpet, Flueglehorn
Joe Mullen - drums, percussion, midi drums
Liner Notes
The Concept:
The Symbiosis project is an interactive, symbiotic, group improvisation collection of various pieces from sessions dating from 1990 to the present. The goal of the music is to explore each other's musical vocabulary in an alternative way other then playing jazz compositions, where there is a preset form and style already built in. This music has no musical planning of any kind although we often experiment with techniques to vary the process to avoid habitual tendencies. The resultant is we find ourselves on an unknown journey in strange new worlds. Sort of like Star Trek, but actually living it.
The Process:
Starting about midnight, we set up our equipment for about an hour, relax, then role the tape. No one has to start right away, so we sort of meditate (wasting tape) until someone does something.
It could be anything from one note, a bass figure, a noise, a chord, etc. The piece has begun! The person who first plays obviously has a concept so we don't rush to come in. That's the first rule; don't play for the sake of playing. Soon there is a character defined and that is where the journey begins. That's when there IS a right and a wrong thing to play. So I guess at this point, I have to define what "free" improvisation is by our terms. There is no random here. Only communication, requiring the utmost sensitivity. The price of exploring a new world in a spontaneous fashion can be scary and sometimes disorienting. The more sensitive we are the greater the pleasure thus; the greater the pain if something doesn't go as expected. It's a worthwhile trade off. In solo playing, a musician can go anywhere and do anything with no interaction with others than himself. When other musicians are involved, there must be communication and listening. Yes, there are some rough edges. This is not pre-composed music. This is simultaneous adventure taking within parameters defined by the music itself, deep in the present. The people I choose to make this music with are among the finest and most sensitive jazz musicians anywhere. There is no show boating, selfishness, or inflated egos. The music always comes first, not the personnel. Unlike some other free improvisational mind sets, Symbiosis is just that — feeding off each other's musical thoughts and feelings.
Listening:
From a listener's perspective, what's in it for the listener? Are we, the players, having all the fun? As a listener, I have always enjoyed the moods, the unexpected, and the feelings from wordless music. I also love the sounds themselves; a string section, percussion, woodwinds, brass, (of course) guitars, and last but not least, synthesizers. A common mistake some people make is to compare a synth to a real instrument only to be disappointed. Although fascinating, mimicking a real instrument is only scratching the surface. A synth can create virtually any sound on earth and beyond. It is limitless. Again, although a synth can mimic nature's sounds, the best has yet to come. Imagine a bassoon or french horn going well out of range to play impossible notes or never running out of air. Imagine how a waterfall would sound mixed with a flute all in the same sound. Imagine hearing a beautiful sound that is from an instrument that we have yet to create. All that said, we hope you enjoy the music of Symbiosis.
Steve Giordano
Credits
Steve Giordano: guitars, guitar synthesizer, keyboards.
John Swana: EVI (electronic valve controller) , keyboards.
Tony Micelli: KAT (a vibes-like controller), keyboards.
Bob Meashey: trumpet, fluegle horn.
Joe Mullen: drums, percussion, midi drums.
Released: Apr, 07 2004
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