Multi-Reedman Dan Willis Interviewed at All About Jazz...and More!

For the past several years, multi-reedman Dan Willis—as prone to play Armenian duduk as he is a saxophone or clarinet—has been exploring the music of renegade classical composer Erik Satie, first with his 2006 Omni-Tone release, Velvet Gentlemen, and now, with his 2010 Daywood Drive follow-up, The Satie Project. In both cases he finds the perfect nexus of reverence for Satie's in some cases near-iconic pieces ("Gymnopedies," for example, which have been brought into the jazz world previously by Jacques Loussier and Blood, Sweat and Tears).

Willis' approach is, however, considerably more expansive, as he adapts Satie's music for a dectet also featuring guitarist Pete McKann, trumpeter Chuck McKinnon and bassist Kermit Driscoll. All About Jazz contributor Raul D'Gama Rose spoke with Willis earlier this year, about the genesis of The Satie Project and how there's still even more life left in this intriguing cross-pollination of jazz and classical music. Read about this and more in Raul's revealing interview, Dan Willis: The Voice of a Tone Poet, published today at All About Jazz.

But there's more. To celebrate the release of The Satie Project, All About Jazz is bringing you even more features:

1. Read Raul's insightful CD review of The Satie Project, also published today;
2. Download “Second Gymnopedie," a free track from The Satie Project, Today's Free MP3;
3. Watch Dan Willis and Velvet Gentlemen perform “Second Gnoissiene," from the CD Release Party for The Satie Project, Today's Video.

All About Jazz is committed to bringing you the most extensive coverage anywhere surrounding new releases. Be sure to check out all the buzz about Dan Willis and The Satie Project at All About Jazz today!