Jazz breaking news: Kyle Eastwood takes the high view on new album and UK tour
Monday, April 29, 2013
Bassist and composer Kyle Eastwood (pictured) returns with a new album, The View From Here on Jazz Village, which was released 25 March, as well as a UK tour that starts tomorrow and includes a week’s residency at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club 3-8 June.
The set is one of his strongest to date with his soundtrack scoring skills – which have seen him compose music for such films as Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby and Gran Torino – creating 11 evocative themes, which are deftly handled by his all-British band. The latter includes Graeme Blevins (tenor and soprano sax) Graeme Flowers (trumpet, flugelhorn), Martyn Kaine (drums) and Andrew McCormack (piano, keyboards), all captured live in the studio at La Buissonne, one of France’s best studios, giving the album a dynamism and excitement lacking on his over-produced earlier recordings.
Eastwood’s bass playing and writing are both at their strongest as the music slips between latin, funk, African and swing grooves, Eastwood confidently leading with the bass at times, and soloing impressively on both upright and bass guitar, while Belvins, Flowers and McCormack let rip, bringing some solo heat to the session as well. Eastwood and band embark on an extensive set of UK dates: The Concorde Club, Eastleigh (30 April); The Stables, Milton Keynes (1 May); The Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne (2 May); Drill Hall, Lincoln (3 May); Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa (4 May); Ronnie Scott's, London (3-8 June); and The Regal Cinema, Evesham (9 June).
– Mike Flynn
See the May issue of Jazzwise that's out now for an interview with Kyle talking about his globetrotting sound – click here to subscribe and get a FREE CD