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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Compact Disc contains 8 full tracks for a total of 50 minutes.
Includes unlimited streaming of Raf Vertessen/Stephen Gauci, Pandemic Duets
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
In March 2020 New York City shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. All music venues were closed, and performances cancelled. In addition to lives lost, and the emotional turmoil entailed; lost jobs, political violence, environmental devastation. Historically, in times like these musicians and artists have always stepped up, expressed what needs to be expressed, said what needs to be SAID. Yet, during one of the most significant, and consequential periods in modern times, musicians are being sidelined and forced to remain silent.
"The artist's job is not to despair, but to find an antidote for the emptiness of existence"- Woody Allen (from "Midnight In Paris").
To find a way; I resolved to safely record a series of duet recordings in order to fully express musically, the intense emotions we are all feeling during this challenging period. What was originally meant to be a string of five duet recordings, eventually turned into a series of nineteen recordings over the course of summer 2020.
Some of the musicians involved have been leading figures in the avant jazz community for many years, others are relative newcomers to the scene. Some young, others with a lifetime of experience, more "grist for the mill". But the defining feature of each and every one of the musicians represented in this "Pandemic Duet" series is a distinctly unique, individual, and immediately identifiable voice on their chosen instrument.
These are not meant to be "masterpieces", or some "grand statement". These nineteen pandemic duets are honest, heart-felt dialogues between musicians with a voice, and the means to use that voice. We will not be silenced. We will ALWAYS find a way.
Wishing all good health & the deepest well being!
- S.G
credits
released March 28, 2021
Digital Album contains 8 full tracks for a total of 50 minutes.
Raf Vertessen - drums
Stephen Gauci - tenor saxophone
Recorded 8/23/20 by Rene Allain at Scholes Street Studio,
Brooklyn NYC
Mixed & Mastered by Michael Coleman
Produced by Stephen Gauci
supported by 7 fans who also own “Raf Vertessen/Stephen Gauci, Pandemic Duets”
This album is absolutely on the mark! The best of what modular synth is capable of, plus a true spiritual feeling of the "griot" heritage, without aping anything. I'm more than impressed. So beautiful. wilsonnovitzki
supported by 6 fans who also own “Raf Vertessen/Stephen Gauci, Pandemic Duets”
Simply amazing to hear a new album with Wadada and Ewart!! ...And Reed rounds out this trio beautifully.
Just gave it my first spin. Absolutely magical. jeffrey maurer
supported by 6 fans who also own “Raf Vertessen/Stephen Gauci, Pandemic Duets”
This album feels as if it could have been released in the late 50's, except for it's thoroughly modern approach. It's first class musicians working with first class material. It's been a consistent 'go-to' album since I purchased it. Kenneth Pyron
supported by 6 fans who also own “Raf Vertessen/Stephen Gauci, Pandemic Duets”
Yes,yes,yes! I've been waiting for Dave to do this again...two brilliant runs by DDQ and Keystone were documented on Greenleaf back in the day; they were groundbreaking...recorded and released within 24 hours for each set...they were stellar performances and I play them again and again.
With absolutely no chance of ever being there, this is the closest i'll ever be to 'being there'...so excited I may need to lay down in a darkened room for a while! John Cratchley