Results for "Neil Welch"

Neil Welch

Born: August 2, 1985

Seattle-based saxophonist Neil Welch represents a new breed of young players who thrive in today's eclectic musical atmosphere. With one foot rooted in the tradition of those who have preceded him (one can't mistake the influence of John Coltrane and Pharaoh Sanders in Welch's playing), Welch forges ahead creatively, drawing from diverse influences, under the umbrella of improvised music, with a solid foundation not often found in such a young player. With his debut release, Narmada, Neil Welch has established himself as a creative force in the Seattle jazz scene. Joining Neil on the album are a number of Seattle's young lions, as well as world-renown sitarist Debi Prasad Chatterjee, and Tor Dietrichson on tablas- who with Neil also comprise the traditional Hindustani ensemble, Nada Brahma

The Ink Around It

By Neil Welch

Label: Self-Produced
Released: 2021
Track listing: Puhpohwee, Concepción Picciotto.

Neil Welch: The Ink Around It

by Ian Gwin
November 17, 2021

Music is ephemeral by nature. The conical airflow of a saxophone could be nothing more than “airy charm"—as the magician Prospero in The Tempest might have it—but this fails to substantiate its power. Though the rousing craft of Seattle composer and saxophonist Neil Welc does. In his acclaimed duo Bad Luck with drummer Chris Icasiano, he's ...

Bad Luck: Four

by Ian Gwin
April 5, 2019

For over a decade, Seattle-based duo Bad Luck—that's Neil Welch (saxophones, electronics) and Chris Icasiano (drums)—have packed and unpacked their deceptively simple formula of drums and saxophone. Through their deep musical partnership, they continue to recast the mold of contemporary music. Over countless fiery performances and three full-length releases, the depth of the duo's compositional improvisations ...

Four

By Bad Luck

Label: Origin Records
Released: 2018
Track listing: Four; R.B.G.; Index; Capital; Bends; Big Sky.

Bad Luck

Over half a decade after their first performance, drummer Chris Icasiano and saxophonist Neil Welch continue to develop a unique musical voice together. Bad Luck has become a sonic outlet to be reckoned with. In the highly trodden medium of drums and saxophone, Bad Luck proves that there is much left to be said. Called “One of the best Seattle jazz recordings in years” (Earshot Jazz) Bad Luck was awarded the “Best Outside Jazz Group” of 2009 by Earshot Magazine, and a finalist for “Best Avant Group” in the 2009 Inside Out awards. Performing all original compositions, the pair use live loops and pedals to create an astounding range of sound

Sidney Hauser: Justice and Jubilation

by Paul Rauch
July 17, 2018

The hiring of young saxophonist Sidney Hauser, to fill the second alto saxophone chair with the prestigious Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra may seem like a musical sidenote to the history of this 17 piece ensemble that was formed in 1995. But considering the marginalization of women instrumentalists in jazz over the course of the genre's history, ...

Ballard Jazz Festival Preview: A Seattle Rite Of Spring

April 1, 2017

The Ballard Jazz Festival, Seattle's most anticipated and community oriented jazz event, will take place May 17-20, and will headline legendary saxophonist, Chico Freeman. Dubbed three decades ago as one of the “young lions" of jazz for his participation in recordings with other “stars to be," such as Wynton Marsalis, Kevin Eubanks, and Paquito D'Rivera, Freeman's ...

Insufficient Funs: Insufficient Funs

by Ian Patterson
January 12, 2017

An original name, if not quite such an original concept. Saxophone and drum duets used to be as rare as the proverbial hen's teeth, with John Coltrane and Rashied Ali's 1960s collaboration always the benchmark. In recent years, however, this striking duo combination has seen something of a boom. Charles Lloyd and Billy Higgins; Dave Rempis ...

12 Tiny Explosions

By Neil Welch

Label: Creative Sources
Released: 2013