British saxophonist Julian Argüelles announces new line-up for his quartet, Tetra, plus pre-recording dates in Austria & Italy and UK tour September 2018.
Argüelles will strengthen his relationship with UK label, Edition Records, to include a second release from his vibrant, adventurous quartet “Tetra” with a change of personnel in pianist Ivo Neame (Phronesis / Marius Nesset / Escape Hatch). Drummer James Maddren and bassist Sam Lasserson remain. Prior to the recording in Italy, the quartet will perform in Graz at the Wist and Vienna (for a future broadcast) at the ORF Studio Café before a final concert at Padova Jazz Club in Italy. Described as ‘supremely lyrical, with beautiful melodies’ by the Irish Times, Tetra is a dynamic outfit defined by its deftly executed tempo changes and improvisatory touches and have been likened to Keith Jarrett’s 1970s European quartet in terms of the level of improvisation and composition by Jazzwise.
Saxophonist Argüelles has built his reputation for presenting world-standard, small-band post-bop that now spans almost three decades. The addition of the forward thinking, innovative pianist Ivo Neame is a result of recent collaborations with Phronesis and Julian’s guest appearances with Escape Hatch, which also include a recording.
Argüelles’ repertoire has been described as agile up-tempo sax invention, having lullaby-like reveries, simply stunning and standout! His writing has been compared to that of Holst, Elgar and Finzi and his appreciation of Spanish folk and South African music is prominent in his music.
Argüelles says: “I love working with all of these guys and look forward to recording Tetra’s second album after these concert dates when the new compositions are played in. I’ve written the new music for their specific skills. We’ll be having a lot of fun!”
Born in Birmingham in 1966, Argüelles left the UK in 2015 to take up a Professorship at the KUG Jazz Institute in Graz, Austria. The oldest established jazz course in Europe celebrating over 50 years in 2016. He is proud of his Birmingham / UK roots and in 2017 received an Honorary Fellowship of Birmingham Conservatoire in recognition of his contribution to music.
“It’s increasingly difficult to make a living in the UK as an improvising musician. Funding is harder to find. The Professorship in Austria is a dream come true for me. I’m just as passionate about teaching as playing and writing music.”
Tetra will perform at the following venues before recording in Italy. Go to www.julianarguelles.com/calendar for more details:
- 6 November – Wist, Graz
- 8 November – ORF Studio Café, Vienna
- 9 November – Padova Jazz Club, Italy
A UK tour is planned for Tetra in September 2018 to promote the CD. Promoters & Festivals interested in booking the band should contact Cathie Rae, manager, in the first instance. email: bookingsjularg@gmail.com
More information on Julian at www.julianarguelles.com