Dave Stapleton Quintet

DSQ are:
Dave Stapleton: Piano / Fender Rhodes
Ben Waghorn: Sop & Ten Sax / Bass Clarinet / Flute
Jonny Bruce: Trumpet / Flugelhorn/Piccolo Trumpet
Paula Gardiner: Double Bass
Elliot Bennett: Drums

Since making their first live performance to a capacity crowd at the Brecon International Jazz Festival 2004, the Dave Stapleton Quintet - DSQ have developed into a band of considerable musical invention and originality. In Sept 2005 DSQ released their debut album
'When Life Was In Black and White' to critical acclaim incorporating a mix of the warm, contemporary jazz of the ECM label, the film scores of Philip Glass, the avant-garde of Keith Jarrett and the groove of the Cinematic Orchestra.


DSQ background and the new album:
Dave Stapleton is a singular young artist. The Cardiff-based pianist-composer is determined to do things his way. That’s why he formed his own label, Red Eye Music. The key he knows is to get his music out there and let it do the work. The House Always Wins is Stapleton’s fourth album as leader. With rave reviews for his previous releases in the Guardian, Observer and Jazzwise, The House Always Wins confirms his reputation and promise.

With the exceptional talents of Paula Gardiner on bass and Elliott Bennett on drums, this is an album of powerful, driving rhythms and lingering melodic hooks. With the highly individualistic sound of Jonny Bruce on trumpet and impressive multi-instrumentalist Ben Waghorn on reeds, Stapleton has put together a band of high-rollers and high stakes winners.

One of the young musicians chosen for the prestigious Jerwood / PRS Foundation ‘Take Five’ initiative led by Serious Productions, this recognised Stapleton’s abilities and acknowledged his potential. As a musician there’s a strength and virility to his playing, matched by an innate capacity for tenderness and reflection. As a composer, he draws upon a formidable grasp of Jazz, Classical and World styles, yet transforms these raw materials into something richly personal.

Featuring, the marvellous Tabla of Aref Durvesh on the Middle Eastern sounding Cascade and the ever-wonderful Julie Tippetts on the bluesy lyricism of Aquamarine, The House Always Wins offers its gifts generously. On Snitch, Out Of Focus and the excellent suite-like Zonk the band finds the force majeure of a Rock ensemble. Imagine, music as approachable and sophisticated as Jarrett or EST or the Bad Plus. Add that to the energy of the Messengers or Cannonball Adderley. That’s the Dave Stapleton Quintet.

What the critics say:
On the first album, 'When Life Was In Black and White'(2005):

"Dave Stapleton is a real find for British Jazz…a young musician of real maturity and vision…it’s the breadth of his talent that’s most encouraging. He writes exceptionally well drawing on his classical training as well as jazz and he’s hungry to explore the possibilities of free improvisation…There’s something refreshingly unstuffy about Dave Stapleton’s sources of inspiration. There’s Jarrett and Hancock, of course, Dave Holland and Joshua Redman but also the American Minimalists like Phillip Glass, Steve Reich and Terry Riley". Jazzwise

"Dave Stapleton's quintet performed tunes from their current CD, 'When Life Was In Black and White'. Allowing his European classical background to shine through in compositions of arresting melodic continuity, his band succeeded not so much through individual voices, but by the strength of their collective musical personality." The Observer

“Idiosyncratically powerful reappraisal of both post-bop and free-jazz” The Guardian

“ECM-ish, filmic originals from distinctive Cardiff-based pianist as heard on his excellent recent album, 'When Life Was Black And White'”. Time Out

"Stapleton is one of the most refreshing, sophisticated and intelligent young jazz composers working today. Inn
ovative, infectious and utterly compelling, the future of new British jazz is in safe hands".
The Western Mail


On the second album, 'The House Always Wins' (2007):

Jazzwise (Stuart Nicholson), (4 stars)

"There's some excellent thematic writing here... stays in the memory
long after the record has finished". 

The Guardian (John Fordham) (4 Stars)
"...hooks that could hardly be more accessible but which none the less
avoid any formulaic references...quality and fiery, fearless soloists...

A real UK jazz relevation."

BBC Radio 3 'Jazz on 3'
"know how to build a groove...bold and catchy compisitions"

The Independent on Sunday (Phil Johnson)
"Fiery, blusey...A cracking band...Fast establishing a formidable rep...
whether in acoustic or proggy Fender Rhodes there's a steely strength"

"Timeout, Sept 2007
"Deft melodies and hard hitting grooves make his music genuinely kick-ass".


Jazzwise article / Interview (Sept issue)

Read Guardian review in full

DSQ links:
www.davestapleton.com
www.myspace.com/davestapletonquintet


Click here to download and buy DSQ
The House Always Wins

DSQ

1.Second Life
2.Dedication Song
3.The House Always Wins
4.Zonk
5.Cascade Featuring Aref Durvesh
6.Snitch
7.Out Of Focus
8.Aquamarine featuring Julie Tippetts

Price per track - £0.79
Download all tracks - £7.99
CD Mail Order - £10.00

 
©2006 Jonny Bruce