Articles by Christopher Wheatley
Paul Downing: Social Control Mechanism Number One
by Christopher Wheatley
Bassist Paul Downing is an artist with an eclectic taste whose music covers many grounds. In previous records, he has explored free improvisation, heavy funk, and, on Flight Through Cloudless Sky (Paulos Records, 1994), produced a fascinating suite of solo pieces performed using the meta-'cello, an instrument tuned in fourths. Social Control Mechanism Number One is quite different but no less absorbing. Here, Downing is joined by Mark Allaway on sax, flute and bass clarinet, with Mike Eaves ...
Continue ReadingGiorgos Tabakis: Moovin' With The Eight-String
by Christopher Wheatley
Greek guitarist Giorgos Tabakis is a restlessly inventive musician with a deep background in jazz theory and composition. His main instrument these days is an eight-string Moov (yes, eight!)—a custom-designed guitar which resembles nothing less than some sort of medieval crossbow. The inventor of the Moov GT 8, to give it its full name, has even dedicated this model to Tabakis (note the initials). All About Jazz sat down to talk with the guitarist about his musical background, the making ...
Continue ReadingFiona Ross On Red Flags And High Heels
by Christopher Wheatley
Singer and pianist Fiona Ross will be known to many as the former Head of the British Academy of New Music, where she trained, among others, Ed Sheeran, Rita Ora and Jess Glynne. Ross is also an accomplished artist in her own right, with numerous awards to her name, including International Female Songwriter of the Year, from the International Singer Songwriters Association. In light of Red Flags and High Heels, her fifth solo release, All About Jazz joined Ross to ...
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