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Arben & Zambelli's A to Z  Website: http://www.jamesarben.co.uk A to Z (Arben to Zambelli) A to Z was formed in January 2005 and is an innovative bassless, sax-led Hammond and Rhodes quartet. They play an eclectic mixture original music, bringing together post-bop and funk with influences ranging from John Scofield, Chick Corea, Joshua Redman right through to Steve Reich. The band comprises of James Arben on Saxes and Flute, Fabio Zambelli on Guitar, Pete Billington on Hammond and Rhodes and Laurence Lowe on Drums. They gig regularly in London, have toured Italy and Switzerland, and also played at the B flat Club in Berlin. Last summer they were one of the headline bands at the popular jazz festival "Estival Jazz Libyssonis" in Sardinia and in November 2006 they played at the London Jazz Festival. Recently, A to Z have performed at the prestigious Ticino, italy and are currently recording a new album and preparing for a UK tour. Background: James Arben and Fabio Zambelli met while studying for their Masters Degrees at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London in 2003. During those two years their musical directions started to converge and they played in a regular quintet which performed in London. This culminated with a gig playing at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in 2003 with Jim Hart, a guest on their recently recorded album. After further collaborations they A to Z was formed in 2005. A to Z performed regularly on the London scene and James and Fabio, with A to Z, established a new Jazz Club at Ryan's Bar in Stoke Newington, London. Through regular gigs, collaborations with other bands and promotion Ryan's Bar is now an established venue on the London scene. It is also a venue for the London Jazz Festival. Influences/Sound The instrumentation of the band is as follows: Saxophones/Flute - James Arben Hammond Synth, Fender Rhodes – Pete Billington Electric Guitar - Fabio Zambelli Drums - Laurence Lowe As a group we aim explore the different sonorities created by a quartet with no bass player. The band aims to re-visit the Hammond Trios of the 60's and 70's and re-work this genre in a contemporary vein. Their aim is to write consistent music that matches the grooves of the past but uses contemporary forms and musical devices. The band has many influences that of the music 70's Jazz Rock, Chic Corea, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Chris Potter, Joshua Redman, Kneebody, Steve Reich, JTQ, Grant Green, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Jack Mcduff, Joey Defrancesco. Press "These guys play very well, they have chops, taste, restraint, and a nice compositional sense, as well as a refreshing attention to detail - they are great players and they have something special as a group" Blue Note Records “A to Z are to be congratulated on a remarkably mature début. Their intelligent writing and spirited playing breathes new life into an often tired genre. “Look Right” is accessible and easy to enjoy but there is a keen musical intelligence here and a sufficient balance of light and shade to warrant repeated listening. The high technical standards we have come to expect from 33 Records aids the process. It will be interested to see how this talented group of young musicians develops, both individually and collectively.” – 4/5 stars - thejazzmann.com |
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