A three-ring circus of sound from the venturesome mind of Andrew Durkin.
Andrew Durkin is a familiar face to the PJCE audience as he had a release on PJCE Records called Breath of Fire in late 2016 (one of Downbeat Magazine’s Best of 2016), and has composed a few pieces for the PJCE’s flagship ensemble.
On July 7th, he presents an evening of original music with three different groups: his long-awaited collaboration with the Quadraphonnes, an album called Five Pointed Star for Portland’s beloved sax quartet; his East-Coast-based group Sunnyvale, featuring excursions into indie pop, indie rock, and chamber pop; and a throwback to the Industrial Jazz Group, his celebrated LA-based big band, with the Quadraphonnes standing in as the horn section.
Durkin has been collaborating with The Quadraphonnes individually and as a group since moving to Portland in 2006 and was one of the composers featured in their epic multidisciplinary concert of 2010. With their seamless blend, lyrical melodicism, and openness to experimentation and humor in music, the Quadraphonnes have been ideal ensemble for Durkin’s idiosyncratic but tuneful compositions. The first Quadraphonnes / Durkin recording, Five-Pointed Star, will be released on PJCE Records later this year.
The Quadraphonnes are Mary-Sue Tobin (soprano sax), Chelsea Luker (alto sax), Michelle Medler (tenor sax), and Mieke Bruggeman (bari sax.)
Inspired by the death of a close mutual friend and fellow musician, Sunnyvale is a new band with an old history. Knapp, McClusky, and Durkin first began collaborating in high school, some thirty-five years ago. With the addition of Casarino, they perform Durkin’s song cycle, “The Ballad of Up & Down”—an exploration of love and loss, in shades of indie pop, indie rock, and chamber pop.
Sunnyvale is Jill Knapp (vocals/miscellany), Matt Casarino (guitar/vocals), Leo McClusky (guitar/ vocals), Andrew Durkin (piano/guitar/vocals) with Ben Medler (bass), and Chris Johnedis (drums).
The Industrial Jazz Group was a large ensemble based in Los Angeles from roughly 2000 to 2015. In its heyday, the group was acclaimed within the small world of left-of-center jazz, touring both nationally and in Europe, receiving favorable notices from major media, releasing five albums, and developing a loyal following.
