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| Two Much Guitar |
| Oliver Gannon and Bill Coon - Two Much Guitar |
Interplay and communication is what the band is all about as Oliver Gannon and Bill Coon play off each other and have a great time doing it. Their critically acclaimed debut CD 'Two Much Guitar' showcases the sparks that fly between these two guitarists and documents the conversational quality and intimacy the duo achieves in a live setting.
The band alternates between just two guitars: upfront and personal and the more straight ahead, swinging combination of two guitars, bass and drums. Bassist Darren Radtke and drummer Dave Robbins round out the quartet and add their own amazing supportive and soloing talents to the mix. A mixture of classic standards and originals from Coon and Gannon are performed with verve, wit and spontaneity and although you will hear such influences as Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, and Grant Green this band has a sound all it’s own.
Oliver Gannon and Bill Coon have performed together in concerts throughout the Lower Mainland and used to appear regularly at the Cellar Jazz Club to sold out houses. You can now catch them regularily at Frankie’s Jazz Club.
Gannon is to Vancouver what Ed Bickert is to Toronto, a high-water mark in the instrument’s modern tradition. He’s direct, earthy and a fabulous foil to Coon, whose dexterity comes in this lovely laid-back style. While they do go up-tempo, it’s on the ballads (Darn That Dream, If You Could See Me Now) where this conversation excels.
- Greg Buium, Downbeat Review
This latest release features veteran guitarists Bill Coon and Oliver Gannon in friendly conversation going through an enjoyable set of originals and bop standards. “Chi Chi”, in particular is a wonderful display of the two guitarists complementing each other at a boppish clip. Even more distinguishing are their ballads in duet form. “Polka Dots” and “Darn that Dream” are charming in their delicacy, and Tadd Dameron's “If You Could See Me Now” is achingly sweet.
- Jazzweekly.com
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Two Much Guitar is:
Bill Coon - guitar
Juno nominated guitarist / composer / arranger Bill Coon is one of Canada’s most highly respected and sought after musicians. He has been performing professionally for over twenty-five years and has worked with numerous jazz artists including Jimmy Heath, Louis Stewart, Chuck Israels, Eddie Daniels, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Campbell Ryga, Brad Turner, PJ Perry, Fred Stride, Denzal Sinclaire, Karin Plato and Dee Daniels. His quartet performed at the Orpheum, opening for Dave Brubeck during the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. His recent association with popular hip-hop artist K-os has resulted in several string recording projects including a collaboration with the Vancouver CBC Radio Orchestra. The process of creating and recording the six-minute piece resulted in a CBC television documentary entitled Burning to Shine and Bill’s arranging is featured on the Juno award winning CD Joyful Rebellion.
Oliver Gannon - guitar
Jazz Guitarist Oliver Gannon has been very active in the Vancouver and Canadian jazz scenes since the early 1970's. He has performed at many of the major jazz festivals in Europe and North America, and has made three concert tours of the former USSR. He has performed on many jazz records, including four on the Concord label. Not only was he named Guitarist of the Year at the National Jazz Awards in 2002, a duo album, recorded in 1982 with longstanding colleague, the late tenor saxophonist Fraser MacPherson, won the Juno Award for Best Jazz Album. Gannon was also instrumental in founding Pacific Salt, a jazz/rock group comprised of himself on guitar, Ron Johnston on piano, Ian McDougall on trombone, Don Clark on trumpet, Tony Clitheroe on bass, and George Ursan on drums. A recent highlight in Gannon’s performing career was an opening setfor the late, great Oscar Peterson in 2004, Peterson’s final appearance in Vancouver.
Darren Radtke - acoustic bass
Darren Radtke studied voice at Concordia College and bass at Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton. After moving to Vancouver in 1993, he graduated with a B.Mus in Jazz Studies at Capilano College, and has since been working as a freelance musician. Darren has performed and recorded with musicians Denzel Sinclair, Ernestine Anderson, Cedar Walton, Joanne Brakeen, Buddy Montomery among others, and is a member of the Bill Coon Trio, Brad Turner Trio, and the Sharon Minemoto Quintet.
Dave Robbins - drums
Dave Robbins is one of Canada’s premier jazz drummers and a first-rate composer, arranger and jazz educator. Growing up in Victoria, he later moved to Montreal and was educated at McGill University where he received his Masters in Jazz Studies. While in Montreal he toured and recorded in bands with Vic Vogel, Joe Sullivan, Altsys, and the Streetnix among others. In 1996 he could no longer resist the pull of the west coast, and is thrilled to have moved back. He is kept very busy playing for Hugh Fraser, Campbell Ryga, Denzal Sinclaire, Miles Black, and Mike Allen to name a few.Dave has played music all over the world, in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Finland, France, Holland, and Ireland. Musicians he has recently performed with include: Gary Bartz, Dee Daniels, Slide Hampton, Buddy Montgomery, Bob Minzer, Kenny Werner, and Dave Young. |
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