"After some three or more hours of Tonus music on a succession of days I believe this is an ensemble with much potential." Vital Weekly
- The Netherlands
A New Wave Of Jazz profiles itself more than ever as a label that not only materializes curator Dirk Serries immense passion for the wilful in music, whether free impro or minimal music, but also tries to tie/bridge those specific genres. The label towards the future will expand its catalogue with a series of excellent albums by prominant and exciting artists.
This Fall however the label focuses on the realization of the first three TONUS albums. TONUS as an ensemble grew out of Dirk Serries' jazzcase residency in 2017 for which he brought together a sextet to work around a slow piano motif by Martina Verhoeven. The literal translation of Tonus is muscle strength, but in this context defines a musical system that places equal importance on the space between notes. Both definitions apply here as the music is an exercise in discipline and anticipation while controlling the clarity, sustain and effect of each single note played.
The birth of the TONUS happened when Serries realised that he needed a vehicle to explore and perform these exercises, as well as a general classification for his ongoing study in minimalism and free improvisation.
These albums are officially out on October 13th 2018 !
disc one : I (performed and recorded at Jazzcase, Neerpelt Belgium November 16th 2017) personnel : colin webster (alto sax), nils vermeulen (double bass), martina verhoeven (piano), dirk serries (acoustic guitar), george hadow (drums), jan daelman (flute)
disc two : IV (performed and recorded at Hundred Years Gallery, London UK January 14th 2018) personnel : otto willberg (double bass), colin webster (alto sax), tom ward (bass clarinet), benedict taylor (viola), dirk serries (acoustic guitar), cath roberts (baritone sax)
performed and recorded at the Sunny Side Inc. studio, Anderlecht Belgium December 9th 2017. Personnel : Dirk Serries (acoustic guitars), Benedict Taylor (viola), Martina Verhoeven (piano)
performed and recorded at Sunny Side Inc. studio, Anderlecht Belgium March 10th 2018. Personnel : Dirk Serries (acoustic guitar), Martina Verhoeven (piano)
CONCERTS :
Celebrating Dirk Serries' 50th birthday in par with the release of three TONUS albums, the TONUS ensemble (in varying line-ups) will play five special events.
Friday, October 12th 2018 - Pletterij, Haarlem (Netherlands)
ensemble : Dirk Serries (accordion, acoustic guitar), Benedict Taylor (viola), Martina Verhoeven (piano), Colin Webster (alto sax)
Saturday, October 13th 2018 - De Singer, Rijkevorsel (Belgium)
OFFICIAL RELEASE SHOW
ensemble : Patrick De Groote (trumpet), Dirk Serries (accordion, acoustic guitar), Benedict Taylor (viola), Martina Verhoeven (piano), Nils Vermeulen (double bass), Colin Webster (alto sax)
Sunday, October 14th 2018 - AB salon, Brussels (Belgium)
ensemble : Dirk Serries (accordion, acoustic guitar), Benedict Taylor (viola), Martina Verhoeven (piano), Nils Vermeulen (double bass), Colin Webster (alto sax)
Friday, October 19th 2018 - Oratoriënhof, Leuven (Belgium)
ensemble : Dirk Serries (accordion/melodica, acoustic guitar), Martina Verhoeven (piano)
Saturday, October 27th 2018 - Cafe OTO, London (UK)
ensemble : Graham Dunning (snare drum, objects), Kristoffer Lo (flugabone), Cath Roberts (baritone sax), Dirk Serries (accordion, acoustic guitar), Benedict Taylor (viola), Martina Verhoeven (piano), Tom Ward (bass clarinet), Colin Webster (alto sax), Otto Willberg (double bass)
