American pianist Andrew Oliver presents a new group performing the music of the great pianist and composer Andrew Hill, whose highly individual and distinctive compositions spanned his long career from the 50s through the 2000s. A unique stylist and distinctive composer, Andrew Hill was well represented on a series of recordings for Blue Note records throughout the 50s and 60s and again in the 90’s and 2000’s. Hill drew on a variety of inspirations for his music ranging from blues to 20th century classical music to imaginary conversations between individuals, all with a totally individual time feel which seemed to defy traditional metric concepts while at the same time slipping right into the rhythm section’s grooves.
Andrew Oliver has assembled a group of fine young and established improvisers from London to interpret some of Hill’s amazing and infrequently played compositions. Revisiting compositions ranging from his shorter form frameworks of the 60’s to more long form and abstract works from his output of the 2000’s, the band features an unusual instrumentation with two basses, piano, trumpet, and vibes, reflecting the sonoroties of some of Hill’s most famous albums. The group hopes to provide a new perspective on Hill’s unique work and shed some light on the diverse compositions of this enigmatic figure.
Andrew Oliver, piano
Michael Soper, trumpet
Ralph Wyld, vibes
Ferg Ireland, bass
Olie Brice, bass
Dave Ingamells, drums