Clockwork
With influences drawn from Chet Baker, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Gene Puerling, Phil Mattson, and many others, Clockwork’s performances range from beautiful ballads to complex, harmonized bebop lines normally only performed by an experienced saxophone section. From straight-ahead jazz to sweet ballads to hard swinging standards, these five voices make the listener forget that there are no instruments playing.
Clockwork is a quintet of musicians who happen to sing. With their own arrangements of jazz from standards to be-bop with interesting, unexpected surprises, this award-winning vocal group is the coolest, newest sound in jazz. Clockwork has taken the West by storm and is not to be missed in the jazz world. They are the 2004 A Cappella Harmony Sweepstakes Regional Champions and National 1st Runners-Up, and were awarded Best Original Arrangement for two of their songs. In addition to being experienced performers, Clockwork, individually and collectively, has extensive experience in hosting and participating in educational workshops on a range of topics that include arranging for voices, solo interpretation, small group singing, microphone technique, and improvisation.
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And (So) What If I Don't? My Baby Just Cares For Me Blackbird D.C. Farewell Donna Lee Creep Rhode island Is Famous For You Moment's Notice Little Girl Blues Variations #1 on "Nightwatch" Big Cash Deal |
Bay Area favorite, 4-man, 1-woman vocal jazz group Clockwork surprised a strong field with a win in the 2004 Bay Area Regional, then went on to place 2nd in the National Finals, making many friends and new fans along the way. "Teseract" is Clockwork's debut CD (on PAC Records), produced by The Bobs' Richard Bob Greene. There are 11 songs, all with cutting-edge arrangements, particularly by group member Stephen Saxon (also including Greene and group members Angie Doctor and Jim Hale). Herbie Hancock's sassy "And (So) What If I Don't," (There's some nice alto sax on this one, otherwise "Teseract" is all a cappella), a cool, jazzy "My Baby Just Cares For Me," Lennon/McCartney's classic "Blackbird" (with actual Red-winged Blackbird sounds), and a rainy-day bluesy "DC Farewell." "Donna Lee" segues perfectly from the laid-back "Back Home Indiana" to Charley Parker's scattish, driving jazz standard, Radiohead's "Creep" runs the gamut from quiet to crazed, and jazz standard "Rhode Island Is Famous For You" features a bright, upbeat lead by Doctor. Clockwork nails John Coltrane's frantic, driving "Moment's Notice," slowing down with perfect control for Richard Rogers' moody "Little Girl Blue," and then taking off on some very nice vocal riffs on "Variation #1 on (J. Williams') 'Nightwatch" and finishing up with the con man's anthem, a bluesy, appropriately smarmy original by Jim Hale, "Big Cash Deal." We loved Clockwork live, and "Teseract" is poised, confident proof of their readiness to join a cappella's vocal jazz elite!
Listen to "Little Girl Blue" and "Rhode island Is Famous For You" in RealAudio.
| 2980 CD $14.98 |
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In the Garden of Eden Polkadots and Moonbeams My Baby Just Cares for Me Corcovado Lush Life I've Got Rhythm / Fascinating Rhythm |
Clockwork, 2004 Harmony Sweeps National Finals 1st runners up, is comprised of veteran San Francisco Bay Area harmony singers whose members have sung in several acclaimed a cappella groups. Two are founding members of Phil Mattson's PM Singers and Eric Freeman is the only singer to reach the National Finals in three different groups. Sophisticated jazz arrangements are a stand out on this EP including some complex harmonized bebop, the fabulous Brazilian classic " Corcovado" and a swinging Gershwin medley. This is smart, clever stuff!
| 4566 CD $9.98 |
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