Snow Owl Quartet

Publisher: Quinton, Edition Phoenix der Analogue Audio Association (AAA)

Playing time: 62 min

Specifications: half track ¼", stereo, RTM SM468, CCIR, 510 nWb/m, 38cm/s

Reel(s):               2 standard metal reels, with stickers

Packaging:        2 standard cardboard boxes, with stickers

Inserts:               1 booklet with 8 pages

Homepage: https://www.aaanalog.de/shop

Translation of the German review:

The Snow Owl Quartet offers fluent and briskly played jazz. The four musicians harmonize perfectly. First and foremost, Juan "Snow Owl" Garcia-Herreros with his "Six String Contra Bass Guitar", which, very dexterously operated, can play tonally into the lower spectrum of a conventional electric guitar through two additional strings. This tonal range breaks with the boundaries we commonly known. The sound of Snow Owl explores a new musical dimension: The transition between the low end and the low-mid range. Terri Lyne Carrington operates the drums not like a rhythm machine, but as an instrument that plays along. Gerg Osby floats along brilliantly with his saxophone sound. Edward Simon's keyboard instruments are also perfectly embedded. This is done with a naturalness that is very conducive to listening to the superbly mixed overall sound event. I keep immersing myself in the sonority and losing myself in the tremendous dimension of expressiveness conveyed by this sensationally well-done QUINTON recording. The accompanying booklet contains the following text: "The electric bass played by "The Snow Owl" is actually not a regular electric bass, but a "Six String Contra Bass Guitar". To record this instrument, we decided to take an unusual approach, and recorded the instrument not only directly at the output of the pickup, but also with a stereo microphone, in order to capture the fine vibrations of the body and the finger noises even better. We also took an unusual approach to mixing: Since the music is a very unique blend of acoustic sound and fusion feel, we wanted to support these two elements sonically as well. And the very special fusion sound on this album is provided by an almost legendary reverb, the AMS RMX 16. Behind this abbreviation is a sound that everyone knows: the drum sound of Phil Collins in the number "In The Air Tonight". However, we used the reverb more subtly than Phil." All the tracks are composed by the band's musicians, six by Juan "Snow Owl" Garcia-Herreros himself.

The musicians:

"Snow Owl" (6-string electric double bass)

Juan Garcia-Herreros was born in Bogota, Colombia. The name "Snow Owl" was given to him at birth by the leader of his tribe. He came to New York at the age of nine. Juan received a scholarship to attend the prestigious Berklee College Of Music in Boston and studied with world-renowned bass teachers Bruce Gertz and Oscar Stagnaro. At the age of 21, he returned to New York to pursue a professional music career and developed the ability to play a variety of styles: Funk, Salsa, Straight Ahead, Modern Jazz, Heavy Metal or Avant-garde. He performed as a sideman of musicians including Thomas Lang, James Spaulding, Miguel Zenón, Yusveny Terry, Anton Denner, Oscar Hernandes, Roberto Quintero, Mark Whitfi eld, Michael Stuart. "Snow Owl Quartet" is his debut album as a bandleader.

Greg Osby (alto and soprano saxophone)

Saxophonist, composer, producer and educator Greg Osby has shaped contemporary jazz over the past 20 years as leader of his own ensembles and as a guest artist with other renowned jazz groups. Osby is a beacon of light for the current generation of jazz musicians and stands out for his innovative approach to composing and performing original jazz music. He has won numerous awards for his recorded works and passionate live performances.

Edward Simon (grand piano, synthesizer)

was born in Cardón, Venezuela, and appeared on the New York jazz scene in a trio led by bassist Charles Fambrough. Multiple performances earned him a reputation as a thoughtful, rhythmically astute player who caught the ears of noted musicians Greg Osby, Kevin Eubanks and Bobby Watson, who hired him. He toured for five years with Watson's Horizon band and dated such established jazz players as Jerry Gonzales, Herbie Mann, Paquito D'Rivera and Terence Blanchard.

Terri Lyne Carrington (drums, percussion)

This world-renowned drummer, composer and producer has maintained her status in the business for over 20 years. Terri has had a reputation as a wunderkind since she jammed with jazz veterans Dizzy Gillespie, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Oscar Peterson, Joe Williams and many others. She recorded with Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder and toured with Herbie Hancock's electric and acoustic bands. Currently, she is taking a break from touring to focus on teaching at Berklee College of Music.

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