nicolas thys — virgo

press release
PIROUET Records
P.O. Box 15 17 25 · 80050 Munich · Germany
www.pirouetrecords.com · [email protected]
phone: +49-(0)89-55 077674
Nicolas Thys: Virgo
Release date: February 20th 2009
Pirouet Records · PIT3038
Nicolas Thys bass
Chris Cheek tenor saxophone
Ryan Scott guitar
Jon Cowherd piano
Dan Rieser drums
1. Disco Monkey · 7:54 2. 99 Ocean · 12:13 3. Lucky Loser · 8:28 4. It’s Been a While · 9:59
5. Virgo · 8:54 6. G Brazil · 8:18
Press release
Nicolas Thys Virgo
Release date: February 20th 2009
Pirouet Records
PIT3038
press release
PIROUET Records
P.O. Box 15 17 25 · 80050 Munich · Germany
www.pirouetrecords.com · [email protected]
phone: +49-(0)89-55 077674
Fluorescent Traces in the Mind
“Virgo”: Bassist Nicolas Thys’ quintet with saxophonist
Chris Cheek—riveting atmospheric alchemy from the man
at the roots of the music
T
his is stimulating music that provokes from the first
measure on. The interlocked voices of saxophone and
electric guitar continuously build up and break down over
an unusual punctuated rhythm pattern that works like a
Latin beat brought to a standstill. These are ingredients
that make for excitement, and set the listener’s contemplative machinery in gear—at the same time the music is very
physical as it rocks harder and harder. Disko Monkey—the
title speaks volumes and awakes images of a music that
bundles together an immense richness of colours and impressions. There are a lot of opalescent surprises wrapped
up in bassist Nicholas Thys’ CD. It’s titled Virgo after Thys’
star sign, Virgo—the virgin. It is a CD full of enormously sensual sounds that constantly challenge the intellect. And in
this case the balancing act works: this music has strength
and style—and its steady flow of ideas grabs hold of the
listener with a lot of new sounds to discover.
Born in 1968, the Belgian Nicolas Thys is a much soughtafter sideman, whether it be in his home city of Brussels,
or during the eight years (1999-2007) that he lived in New
York City. For this CD he has put together an exciting quintet, and composed pieces explicitly for this band. Pirouet
CD listeners will recognise Thys from his work with pianist
Bill Carrothers (I Love Paris). He has worked with musicians and groups spanning a variety of styles, including
Mal Waldron, Zap Mama, Lee Konitz, and Brazilian Girls.
Thys knows many musical worlds from the inside-out, and
elements from these worlds flow finely back into his music—no wonder with partners like these. First of all, there
are highly accomplished artists like Pianist Jon Cowherd,
who has played with, among others, Brian Blade and Lizz
Wright, and drummer Dan Rieser, who is known for his work
in a club band with Singer-pianist Norah Jones. They set the
stage for a lot of surprises, for which two other musicians
especially contribute. One of them is Saxophonist Chris
Cheek, a contemporary of Thys. As master of a highly expressive and versatile tone, Cheek has passed through the
bands of Paul Motian and Charlie Haden. His tone has a lot to
do with the sound of this CD. The other player is guitarist
Ryan Scott, an exceptionally strong young stylist rooted
in soul and rock, who carries out some incredibly exciting
dialogues with Cheek. Their subtly interlaced voices have
an iridescent elegance; on some spots an exceptionally
sophisticated rock aesthetic merges into a jazzy context.
It’s a thrilling balancing act—one of so many on this CD.
Press release
Nicolas Thys Virgo
Release date: February 20th 2009
Pirouet Records
PIT3038
press release
PIROUET Records
P.O. Box 15 17 25 · 80050 Munich · Germany
www.pirouetrecords.com · [email protected]
phone: +49-(0)89-55 077674
A CD full of incredibly sensuous sounds,
constantly challenging the intellect.
With an enthralling, mesmerizing intensity and
a lot of soul, the music bundles together an
immense richness of colours and impressions.
Lyrical melodic magic that leaves fluorescent
traces in the memory–unforgettable, iridescent,
beautiful: music from Nicolas Thys.
The mood created by Chris Speed and Ryan Scott on the
title piece, Virgo, is particularily astounding. Their elegant
intensity is enthralling, and there is a special allure to the
cleverly placed pauses in the main theme. The theme works
like a flourish that is suddenly broken in mid-flight, and then
once again continues with even more emphasis—and it is
mesmerizing. It is a song that is loaded with Soul. The theme
might also be a lyrical melody that was originally written
for Whitney Houston—and is here given a more explosive
existence. Slow pieces, or better yet: lyrical pieces with a
melancholy tinge project out of Thys’ thoroughly captivating
compositions. Alongside Virgo there is also It’s Been a While
and 99 Ocean. Throughout, Nicolas Thys has shown himself
to be a master of the sweeping melody line. By the way, one
could imagine the lead voices of his lyrical pieces portrayed
by soulful vocalists—and with only the best, most sustainable, and most subtle would do. Just as Chris Cheek pri-
marily fills this roll with his saxophone, as he amazes time
and again with his unique approach—once again Ryan Scott
is able to execute distinctive contrapuntal lines with his
striking guitar accents (99 Ocean).
And bassist Nicolas Thys has very artfully kept himself in
the background: he is the man who pulls the strings,
masterminds all that is happening, and, with his flexible
bass pulse and elastic lines, is the foundation for it all.
Because of his intentional inconspicuousness, this foundation proves to be especially strong. And shinning above Thys’
fundamental support—from Cheek’s and Scott’s smouldering sounds on through to Jon Cowherd’s catchy-rhapsodic
piano brilliance—the soloists project a luminous intensity
that is both strong and sustained. Lyrical melodies that
leave fluorescent traces in the mind—unforgettable, iridescent, beautiful: music from Nicolas Thys.
Press release
Nicolas Thys Virgo
Release date: February 20th 2009
Pirouet Records
PIT3038
presse inf o r m ati o n
PIROUET Records
P.O. Box 15 17 25 · D-80050 München
www.pirouetrecords.com · [email protected]
Telefon: +49-(0)89-55 077674
Neonspuren im Gedächtnis
„Virgo“: Das Quintett von Bassist Nicolas Thys
mit Saxophonist Chris Cheek und fesselnd elegischen
Stimmungen. Kantilenenzauber vom Mann
im Hintergrund.
D
iese Musik ist auf höchst anregende Art irritierend. Und
das gleich von den ersten Takten an. Der ungewöhnliche punktierte Rhythmus, der wie ein ins Stocken geratenes Latin-Pattern wirkt und über dem sich dann ständig neue Kulminationspunkte von miteinander verzahnten
Stimme von Saxophon und E-Gitarre aufbauen und wieder
auflösen: Das sind Zutaten, die Spannung schaffen, die die
Grübelmaschinerie des Hörers in Gang setzen – und die
zugleich so körperlich sind, dass das Stück immer mehr
mitreißt. Disko Monkey: Der Titel spricht Bände und weckt
Bilder – zu einer Musik, die einen immensen Reichtum an
Farben und Eindrücken bündelt. Diese CD des Bassisten
Nicolas Thys steckt voller schillender Überraschungen.
Virgo heißt sie – nach Thys’ Sternzeichen Jungfrau. Es ist
eine CD voller enorm sinnlicher Klänge, die stets den Intellekt herausfordern. Und bei denen der Spagat gelingt: Kraft
und Stil hat diese Musik – und sie packt mit ständig neuen
Details. Klänge zum Entdecken.
Der Belgier Nicolas Thys, 1968 geboren und sehr gefragt
als Begleiter – sowohl in seiner Heimat Brüssel als auch in
acht Jahren New York City bis 2007 –, hat hier ein hochgradig spannend besetztes Quintett zusammengestellt,
für das er auch alle Stücke komponiert hat. Hörer von
Pirouet-CDs kennen Thys aus der Zusammenarbeit mit
Pianist Bill Carrothers (I love Paris). Er hat mit so unterschiedlichen Musikern und Gruppen gearbeitet wie Mal
Waldron, Zap Mama, Lee Konitz, Brazilian Girls. Thys kennt
viele musikalische Welten von innen – und auf feine Art
fließen ganz unterschiedliche Elemente mit ein.
Kein Wunder bei Partnern wie diesen. Da sind zunächst
hochversierte Könner wie Pianist Jon Cowherd, der unter
anderem mit Brian Blade und Lizz Wright spielte, und
Schlagzeuger Dan Rieser – bekannt aus einer Clubband mit
Sängerin und Pianistin Norah Jones. Sie bereiten den Boden
für viel Überraschendes, das dann vor allem zwei andere
Musiker beisteuern. Zum einen prägt Saxophonist Chris
Cheek, ein Altersgenosse von Thys und als Meister eines
hoch expressiven und wandlungsfähigen Tons durch Bands
von Paul Motian und Charlie Haden gegangen, sehr viel vom
Klang dieser CD. Zum anderen ist da Gitarrist Ryan Scott,
ein bemerkenswerter, junger, von Soul und Rock geprägter,
kraftvoller Stilist, der mit Cheek spannende Dialoge führt.
Ihre ineinander greifenden, subtil verflochtenen Stimmen
haben irisierende Eleganz und lassen an manchen Stellen
eine Rock-Ästhetik ungemein raffiniert im jazzigen Kontext
aufgehen. Aufregende Gratwanderung – eine von so manchen auf dieser CD.
Presseinfo
Nicolas Thys Virgo
VÖ: 20. Februar 2009
Pirouet Records
PIT3038
presse inf o r m ati o n
PIROUET Records
P.O. Box 15 17 25 · D-80050 München
www.pirouetrecords.com · [email protected]
Telefon: +49-(0)89-55 077674
Eine CD voller enorm sinnlicher Klänge,
die stets den Intellekt herausfordern.
Musik, die einen immensen Reichtum an Farben
und Eindrücken bündelt, mit elegischer Intensität und
unglaublich viel Soul-Feeling fesselt.
Besonders verblüffend sind die Stimmen von Chris Cheek
und Ryan Scott beim Titelstück, Virgo, das mit elegischer
Intensität fesselt und einen besonderen Reiz aus geschickt
gesetzten Pausen im Hauptthema gewinnt: Wie eine große
Geste, die plötzlich abbricht und dann mit um so mehr Emphase weitergeführt wird, wirkt dieses Thema – und es prägt
sich ein. Ein Song, der von unglaublich viel Soul-Feeling aufgeladen ist. Das Thema könnte auch eine Kantilene sein, die
ursprünglich für Whitney Houston geschrieben wurde – und
die hier in ein explosiveres Dasein übergeführt wird. Langsame Stücke – oder besser: Stücke mit lyrischen, elegischen
Themen – ragen besonders aus Thys durchweg fesselnden
Kompositionen heraus. Neben Virgo etwa auch It’s Been a
While und 99 Ocean. Und überall zeigt sich, dass Nicolas
Thys ein Meister der langen Melodiebögen ist. Die Linien,
die die Hauptstimmen seiner lyrischen Stücke zeichnen,
könnte man sich übrigens durchweg mit souligen Gesangsstimmen vorstellen – und zwar nur mit den besten, tragfähigsten und nuancenreichsten. Wie vor allem Chris Cheek
auf dem Saxophon diese Rolle ausfüllt, verblüfft ein ums
andere Mal – und abermals, wie Ryan Scott mit markanten
Gitarren-Akzenten Kontrapunkte schafft (99 Ocean).
Als Bassist hält sich Nicolas Thys hier sehr geschickt im
Hintergrund: Er ist der Mann, der die Fäden zieht, der das
Geschehen lenkt und mit seinem beweglichen Bass-Puls
und seinen elastischen Linien die Basis für alles schafft.
Dieses Fundament erweist sich gerade durch seine bewusste
Unauffälligkeit als besonders stark: Über ihm entfalten die
Solisten – von Cheeks und Scotts glimmenden Stimmen bis
hin zu Jon Cowherds griffig-lyrischer Klavier-Brillanz – eine
Leuchtkraft, die selten so stark und nachhaltig ist. Kantilenen, die Neonspuren im Gedächtnis hinterlassen: einprägsam, schillernd, schön. Musik von Nicolas Thys.
Presseinfo
Nicolas Thys Virgo
VÖ: 20. Februar 2009
Pirouet Records
PIT3038
press release
PIROUET Records
P.O. Box 15 17 25 · 80050 Munich · Germany
www.pirouetrecords.com · [email protected]
phone: +49-(0)89-55 077674
Biography Nicolas Thys
B
orn in 1968 in Brussels Nicolas Thys began singing and
playing the piano and flute at a very young age. At age
thirteen he started playing electric bass and performed
early on with high school friends in musicals organized
by the drama department (several engagements yearly).
After high school, he moved to Amsterdam to attend the
conservatory of music where he graduated in 1994 as well
on electric bass as on double bass. Both instruments with
“cum laude”, the highest distinction.
During the years of study Nicolas Thys gathered different
prizes and awards in Belgium (European Jazz Contest 1993),
Holland and Germany (Jazztage Leverkusen 1994), and
toured around the world. In 1996 he spent months in New
York on a Dutch Government grant.
In 1999 he moved to New York City and became a well
known member of the vivid jazz scene until his return to
Europe in the fall of 2007.
Peter Bernstein, Jojo Mayer’s Nerve, Bob Brookmeyer, Dave
Liebman Topaz, Benny Bailey, Yaron Herman, Brussels Jazz
Orchestra, Nils Wogram/Simon Nabatov, Brazilian Girls, Zap
Mama, Garrett List, Tomasz Stanko and Toots Thielemans.
Featured on many soundtracks. Soundtrack Love the hard
way feat. academy award winner Adrian Brody. Featured
artist in Japan with the Walter Lang Trio (Best album in
2006/ Swing Journal).
His regular working activities include musicians and groups
such as the Bill Carrothers Trio, Ben Waltzer Quartet, Robin
Verheyen Quartet, Al Funduq, Gorka Benitez Quartet, Jeroen
van Herzeele Project, T&T (with brother Toine Thys), Chris
Defoort Quartet feat. M. Turner/Jim Black, Tutu Puoane
Quartet, resident artists at Nublu in New York.
Besides his versatile playing activities, Nicolas Thys is
teaching bass at the conservatory in Antwerp, Belgium.
Nicolas played all the major Festivals (Montreal, North Sea,
Montreux) and recorded as a sideman with amongst others
Lee Konitz, Mal Waldron/Jeanne Lee Quartet, Jesse Van Ruller, Toshiko Akioshi’s Big Band, Ben Monder, Mark Turner,
Press release
Nicolas Thys Virgo
Release date: February 20th 2009
Pirouet Records
PIT3038
press release
PIROUET Records
P.O. Box 15 17 25 · 80050 Munich · Germany
www.pirouetrecords.com · [email protected]
phone: +49-(0)89-55 077674
Diskography
on Pirouet Records
As a leader
2009 Nicolas Thys: Virgo (Nicolas Thys b, Chris Cheek ts, Jon Cowherd p, Ryan Scott git, Dan Rieser dr) · PIT3038
As a sideman
2003 Walter Lang: Lotus Blossom (Walter Lang p, Aya Murodate voc, Nicolas Thys b, Rick Hollander dr) · PIT3001
2003 Jason Seizer: Fair Way (Jason Seizer ts, Marc Copland p, Nicolas Thys b, Rick Hollander dr) · PIT3003
2005 Bill Carrothers: I Love Paris (Bill Carrothers p, Nicolas Thys b, Dré Pallemaerts dr) · PIT3012
7
Press release
Nicolas Thys Virgo
Release date: February 20th 2009
Pirouet Records
PIT3038
press release
PIROUET Records
P.O. Box 15 17 25 · 80050 Munich · Germany
www.pirouetrecords.com · [email protected]
phone: +49-(0)89-55 077674
Interview Nicolas Thys
How did you get in touch with music?
I got in touch with music through my parents who taught me
music and were listening a lot to Bach, Mozart, Händel and a
lot of Baroque music in general. I started playing Rock’n’Roll
in High School and fell in love with the bass guitar. So I got
turned on to jazz and funk and started to play acoustic bass
as well. I went to Amsterdam to study and since then, my
bass took me all over the world. The Beatles were a huge
influence when I was a kid and everything that was dipped
in blues too. Still today, everything I love is connected to the
blues one way or another (bluegrass, jazz, soul, gospel, rock,
reggae, country, classical). The music that comes from the
soul is the one that grabs my ears.
How did you choose the member of the band?
The members of the band are people whom I met on my
numerous trips to New York. I met them in different contexts, and when I thought about forming a band to play my
music they immediately came to mind without an hesitation. Soulmates, if you want. People whose background and
sensitivity are such that, they bring my music to life in a way
that moves me. We’re about the same age, grew up with the
same idols and it shows. Listen to Dan Rieser, steady deep
beat on the drums, Ryan’s groovy, funky blues lines, Jon’s
orchestration on the piano and Chris’s lyricism. He is our
singer. I’d have a hard time finding other guys for this music,
they’re the best.
How was the working process for this cd and what do
you want to tell with the music?
The music took shape in a bar called “Louis 649” in the east
village in New York. I had a weekly engagement for a while
and we could experiment with the compositions. We didn’t
have to look too far though. They immediately understood
what I wanted. The music represents who I am, it’s my most
accomplished recording to this day. A true blend of all my
influences in a way that’s my very own. It hopefully gives
a message of hope and is full of pictures and landscapes.
To me, it has a spiritual meaning and does people good.
Press release
Nicolas Thys Virgo
Release date: February 20th 2009
Pirouet Records
PIT3038
press release
PIROUET Records
P.O. Box 15 17 25 · 80050 Munich · Germany
www.pirouetrecords.com · [email protected]
phone: +49-(0)89-55 077674
Interview Nicolas Thys
Continuation
What do you hear, if you dont’ hear jazz?
I listen to all kinds of different music and sounds. Lately a
lot of folk/country music, classical and real old school jazz
(pre war singers) or Gershwin’s original work, nineties hip
hop, Charlie Parker, 60’s reggae, 80’s funk, gospel choirs
(old school too), and I love good radioprograms. And again,
anything connected to the blues and that has soul. Notes
don’t really interest me too much, I want to hear someone’s
story.
New York band for the Virgo recording. Some filmmusic
also in the planning. I feel really blessed doing what I’m
doing, playing music for a living, and traveling. My life is fun,
watching my daughters grow combined with my lifestyle
is a dream come true in itself. Playing with Wayne Shorter
or Meshell N’degeocello would be great though. Touring
extensively with the “Virgo Project” would be the ultimate.
What kind of plans do you have for the future?
Next year, I’ll be touring with Robin Verheyen Quartet,
Tutu Puaone Quartet, with a solo project around the bassguitar with a repertoire written by me, and of course with my
Press release
Nicolas Thys Virgo
Release date: February 20th 2009
Pirouet Records
PIT3038
press release
PIROUET Records
P.O. Box 15 17 25 · 80050 Munich · Germany
www.pirouetrecords.com · [email protected]
phone: +49-(0)89-55 077674
Nicolas Thys
“The music that comes from the soul is the one that grabs my ears.”
Press release
Nicolas Thys Virgo
Release date: February 20th 2009
Pirouet Records
PIT3038