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Azure

AZURE A Musical Spark The story of Azure starts in 2006 when a pianist and a guitar player meet at a spontaneous jam session. Immediately sensing a musical spark, they decide to collaborate. They get together with 2 friends, start composing and gigging, and call the band Azure.

When She Smiles After their first big concert, at The Hague Jazz, they decide to work towards a recording. In june 2008 the quartet records their debut album 'When She Smiles', which holds nine original pieces inspired by love. The self-released album finds wide critical acclaim in both the US and the Netherlands. Azure's compositions, eclecticism, and unique sound get a lot of praise.

Touring and competition They play some major Dutch summer festivals, followed by the first tour abroad: for three weeks they play across South America, receiving a warm welcome. Two years later the band gets nominated as finalists for the 'Get Your Jazz On Stage' competition, culminating in a final concert at Amsterdam's pop-temple Paradiso, for which they team up with star trumpeter Rik Mol and rap-outfit L4.

Hiptronics Producer and synthesizer wizard Federico Solazzo replaces the original composer/pianist, who relocates to Paris, and trumpeter Mol continues to work with Azure. Yet again a musical spark is felt and Azure dedicate themselves to composing and rehearsing new material. A brand new, second album called 'Hiptronics' is scheduled for release in June 2014. It presents Azure's newfound groovy, eclectic and electric sound, and will feature Rik Mol and NYC-based songwriter/vocalist Benjamin Rhodes.

Awards

Yes please!

Gear

Rogier Schneemann is an endorser of Eastman Guitars.

Azure: Hiptronics

Read "Hiptronics" reviewed by Ian Patterson

by Ian Patterson
October 22, 2014

Such is the musical shift between Azure's When She Smiles (Azuremusic, 2009) and Hiptronics that they sound like different bands; effectively, they are. The main songwriter, classically influenced pianist Pierre-Francois Blanchard has been replaced by keyboardist Federico Solazzo and only co-founder, guitarist Rogier Schneemann remains from the original group, which has grown to a quintet with the addition of trumpeter Rik Mol. In interior design terms it would be akin to gutting a property and going for a futuristic styling ...

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Album Review

Azure: When She Smiles

Read "When She Smiles" reviewed by Ian Patterson

by Ian Patterson
July 2, 2009

Azure is a Netherlands-based quartet formed in 2006, and When She Smiles is its second release. Nine original compositions--seven penned by pianist Pierre-Francois Blanchard, and two by guitarist Rogier Schneemann--take the quartet through lyrical terrain. Although there are no overbearing influences on the music, there is a classical jazz overtone to much of the playing, and the ghosts of the Modern Jazz Quartet linger somewhere below the surface. There is also a distinct modernism at the core, and the appeal ...

410

Album Review

Azure: When She Smiles

Read "When She Smiles" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza

by Jerry D'Souza
March 12, 2009

When Pierre-Francois Blanchard (piano) and Rogier Schneemann (guitar) met at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague in 2006, they forged an immediate musical bond. Shortly thereafter they pulled in David Barker (drums) and Eric Heijnsdijk (bass) to form Azure. The band released their debut recording There Were Stars (Azuremusic) in 2007. On their second release, When She Smiles, the band enlists Antonio Pisano on drums.

Azure's music is informed by different strains. The music here, all of which ...

Recording

'String Rise Azure Traces,' Is The New Album, Of Original Work, From Wales Based Composer And Pianist Simon Deeley

Source: Simon Deeley
July 9, 2023

String Rise Azure Traces is, now, the fifth release to come from the Wales, UK based composer and pianist Simon Deeley. As with his earlier albums, all the music, on this current album, is original, all being penned by the composer. Rather than an over-arching theme the album has a hint of an immediately recognisable style. An infusion of Latin flavour threads through the album; with the Samba groove of “So, Fly Azure Acrobat," and the gentle, easy, slow Latin ...
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Contest

Enter the "Gary Peacock and Marilyn Crispell - Azure" Giveaway at All About Jazz!

Source: All About Jazz
June 29, 2013

All About Jazz members are invited to enter the ECM Records “Gary Peacock and Marilyn Crispell - Azure“ giveaway contest starting today. We'll select FIVE winners at the conclusion of the contest on July 29th. Click here to enter the contest

(Becoming a fan of Gary Peacock at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.)

Good luck! Your Friends at ECM Records About Azure

Azure features beautiful duets by two great improvisers whose compatibility was proven long ago. ...
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Recording

Kat Epple Releases "Azure Pieces of Life" on Emerald Web Records

Source: All About Jazz
May 11, 2005

Grammy nominated Flautist, Kat Epple's new music CD, Azure Pieces of Life was recently released on Emerald Web Records. The melodies, chords, and textures are unique and complex, and are performed by two incredibly accomplished, innovative instrumentalists. The album consists of all original compositions performed by Kat Epple (formerly from the group Emerald Web) on flute, and Chuck Grinnell on keyboard, and includes elements of New Age, Impressionistic, celtic, jazz, world and ambient music. It is Spellbinding and flowing, with ...
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“You guys have a sound!” – Dave Liebman

“The band really impressed me… great tunes, great interplay…” - Hein van de Geyn

Jazzism, nr. 3 2009 “Azure has guts and a very individual, mature sound. ...from all the attention for quality of timbre and detailed interplay, the group easily switches into overdrive” (Mark Stroeks)

Jazz Magazine, nr. 2 2009 “a headstrong lot... it’s primarily the combination of melody and harmony that makes the group’s work interesting. Azure’s music is accessible, a bit dreamy and covers you like a warm blanket” (Angelique van Os)

Den Haag Centraal, may 2009 “Azure is a group keep your eyes on... From contemporary, romantic and melodious to full out rocking. It’s difficult to compare them to others and that’s a quality” (Bert Jansma)

“You guys have a sound!” – Dave Liebman

“The band really impressed me… great tunes, great interplay…” - Hein van de Geyn

AllAboutJazz, march 2009 “Both Blanchard and Schneemann are strong proponents of their instruments. They play with an active imagination opening several interesting doors... The blend is juicy and delightful.” (Jerry D’Souza)

Jazzflits, nr. 7.07 2009 “Especially the interplay between guitar and piano is nicely done... there is always harmony in the compositions and in the way they’re executed... The solo piano piece ‘Berceuse pour Maëlise’ is a gripping, cinematic drama. Blanchard takes the listener to a dreamworld” (Peter J. Korten)

Jazzenzo, march 2009 “the group is capable of writing strong melodies and arranging them with taste and skill. Especially Blanchard is a great talent as a pianist and composer. Tracks like 'Ballade pour une Pâquerette' , 'A Mon Amour' and 'Berceuse pour Maëlise' have touching passages and 'RnP' lingers nicely in your ear after listening” (Mischa Andriessen)

Musicweb International, march 2009 “to my ears there are no weak numbers on this excellent debut disc... ‘B-Y-You’ is a strong number, coming close to the ECM qualities of some pretty big names” (Dominy Clements)

Jazzreview, april 2009 “Azure produce dimension in their music so the melodic patterns spring out at the listener... They take the listener on a fantastical journey through their recording, When She Smiles.” (Susan Frances)

Jazzreview, may 2009 “The CD has a certain timeless quality to it... Having played together for awhile, each of the four members of Azure is aware of how much space to give, when to step forward, and when to lay back. This by-product of familiarity and mutual respect yields excellent results.” (Randall Parrish)

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