B.D. LENZ
Life through a ‘Lenz’ ..
.
Critically acclaimed jazz musician
returns to town
ward winning American jazz guitarist and
critically acclaimed composer B.D. Lenz will
be bringing his trio back for a return visit to
Stone while in the UK for their sixth and
longest tour yet.
This trip follows the release of his latest
recording ‘Ready or Not’ - his eighth album and
first ‘straight-ahead’ jazz project.
A prolific writer and seemingly ubiquitous
musician with songs licensed for use in hundreds
of TV shows internationally (most recently on the
hit ‘Breaking Bad’), listeners have come to rely on
B.D Lenz for commercially viable music. There are
thousands of independent artists in a
homogenized market, yet Lenz manages to stand
out.
After having made a reputation for playing
groove-based contemporary jazz Lenz decided it
was time to do something more traditional and
evocative of his jazz roots. “I finally feel like I have
A
something to say in this genre and am competent
enough to play it,” said the DIY musician, and
“70% of the gigs I perform are now more straight
ahead jazz because of the venues we play.” Lenz
produced the project himself; not uncommon in
an industry where record labels are losing their
stronghold.
‘Ready or Not’ features ten well-balanced
songs, all are newly composed by Lenz, with the
exception of two: ‘How Deep Is Your Love’ by the
Bee Gees and ‘Solar’ by Miles Davis. The tracks
range from 12-bar jazz/blues to funky organ;
melodic; pop-ballad; Latin vibe with saxophone;
groovin’ jazz standard; tricky chord changes; and
vamping solos.
Lenz and trio will be performing throughout
the UK appearing on Thursday, 24th April at
Granvilles Brasserie at Granvilles Square, Stone
beginning at 9pm. More information can be found
at www.granvilles.st or by calling 01785 816 658.
April/May 2014 41