Eyes of a Blue Dog is a trio of Rory Simmons (Trumpet, electronics), Liz Nygaard (voice), Terje Evensen (drums, percussion).
The band moniker Eyes of a Blue Dog derives from a short story by the great Latin American ‘Magical Realist’ author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Indeed on their debut release Rise, this trio evokes something of that novelette’s dream-like narrative and subliminal mysteries. It’s a diverting and refreshing new collaboration between the North London LOOP Collective trumpeter Rory Simmons (also on electric guitar and electronic treatments), the renowned Norwegian drummer and ambient electronics soundscaper Terje Evensen and upcoming UK-based singer-lyricist Elisabeth Nygård. Together they mine elements from underground electro-pop song, post-rock and an austere electronica of the kind that has roots in the experimental jazz and improvisation scene out of which trumpeter Simmons and the ex-Leeds based LIMA Collective vocalist Nygård (who has made very notable contributions to two albums by Simmons’ contemporary third stream ensemble Fringe Magnetic) have successfully emerged.
“Duarte’s ability to write music that is at once melodic and accessible but highly challenging and unexpected where the improvised elements hold primacy, is the key to the inevitable success of this music”
London Jazz News
Soprano/Alto and Flute – Chris Williams
Alto/Flute – Julie Kjaer
Tenor/flute – Rachel Musson
Tenor – Mike Lesirge
Clarinet/Bass clarinet – Tom Ward
Baritone – Cath Roberts
Tr – Noel Langley
Tr – Yasmeen Ahmed
Tr – Chris Batchelor
Tr – Andre Canniere
Trb – Paul Taylor
Trb – Raph Clarkson
Bass trb – Oli Haylett
Tuba – Ben Kelly
Bass – Jason Simpson
Keys – Dave O’Brien
Drums – Jon Scott