LATEST NEWS
Cipher -Past Lives
Cipher (Theo Travis and Dave Sturt) have collaborated with visual artist Anthony Hatton to produce a thought-provoking and engaging visual and live musical experience Ð using previously unseen archive footage from the Media Archive of Central England, including local images of the Midlands and with music composed by Cipher -performed live, alongside musicians from Sinfonia ViVA.
The live soundtrack combines acoustic and electric instruments with digital looping technology and computer sound processing
The new score will be a collaboration between Cipher - Theo on sax, flute and keys and Dave on fretless and upright bass and sound design - and accalaimed cellist Deirdre Benscik and violinist Clare Bhabra both from the Midlands based orchestra Sinfonia Viva. This will be the first time Cipher have augmented their sound with strings.
There will also be a series of workshops before some of the performances, to enable participants to learn about writing and performing music with film. In addition some performances will also have a post show Question and Answer sessions. See live dates for details
Travis & Fripp - 3
Work has been continuing on the new Travis & Fripp album. Theo has been at Steven Wilson's studio working on the mixes and they are now complete. Steven has also done a complete set of surround sound 5.1 mixes which are sounding awesome. It is thought this will be the first ever full album of Robert Fripp soundscapes in surround sound - so it should be very special. There are some surprises on this album so Theo hopes people will enjoy it. Because of the various DVD extras it will take some time to complete and probably won't be released until mid 2012.
John Foxx And Theo Travis - Torn Sunset
On 27 June 2011 a new CD was being released by John Foxx and Theo Travis called "Torn Sunset" (Edsel records). The album is a beautiful instrumental recording of alto flute by Theo and piano and soundscapes by John Foxx – an artist best known for his work with Ultravox and his groundbreaking solo albums. He was much acclaimed as one of the pioneers of experimental synth art pop in the 1980s. On its release, the album reached No 1 in the Amazon Electronica Download chart!
'A wistful, dignified album which - true to Eno's original definition of Ambient - can be participated in as much as the listener desires. While it works just fine as aural wallpaper, its melodic flow deserves and rewards closer attention.' The Wire
'Travis's wraithlike cloud effects, punctuated by John Foxx's lulling piano trills, suggest flocks of birds describing gentle arabesques against an endless summer crepuscule.' Q MAGAZINE "
'Torn Sunset, with saxophonist Theo Travis, is a work of similar coiling beauty to Nighthawks. Foxx's keyboard patterns like pinpricks in the sodium-lit fog generated by Travis.' 4/5 UNCUT
'On Torn Sunset we hear Foxx take on a prominent role, creating a full bodied sound. Travis manages to walk an oneiric line which elevates the record to a far more contemporary context despite the heavy use of flute.' ARTROCKER 4/5
New Interview
There's a brand new interview with Theo at the ever-excellent Innerviews website. innerviews.org Theo talks about his career, the release of his new anthology and working with Robert Fripp.
It's also live on the Innerviews iPad and iPhone app (and looks great on it). If you have the said devices, you can get the app here:
itunes.com/apps/innerviews
Sound advice, wise words.
Every so often Theo comes across an article on the net or a blog that resonates deeply and he considers worth telling others about. This one by USA banjo player (a guest on the latest Herbie Hancock - no less...) is one. It is some advice about "How to make a living in music". If this is your area, or just of interest, do read it - here!
dannybarnes.com/blog
Goldbug - The Seven Dreams.
Theo guests on a new US CD release by guitarist Tim Motzer (David Sylvian/ Ursula Rucker/Jaki Liebzeit) who has put together a new project called Goldbug and their debut album The Seven Dreams. The band features Theo on tenor sax and flute, Tim Motzer on guitar, piano and electronics, Barry Meehan on bass and wunderkind Eric Slick of the Adrian Belew Power Trio and Dr Dog, on drums. The music is most excellent and has been described as "a journey in groove exploration, textures, and orchestration cut up, mis-aligned, and re-imagined for the wandering ear" It is released in June 2010 on the American 1K recordings label. For more info and to check out the music or buy a copy see here 1krecordings.com
THEO POD CAST
Theo has recently made a 3 part podcast interview covering his influences, the new Travis & Fripp CD, his formative years, and approach to playing generally.
You can hear it here - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3
Theo's interview for tourdates.co.uk
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
Theo is the subject of an extensive interview at All About Jazz. Covering his background, musical influences and his thoughts on the worlds of prog rock and jazz,it is one of the most comprehensive and up to date interviews around - allaboutjazz.com
He is also interviewed in the specialist Polish Web Magazine "Vajrayana" about his involvement with Steven Wilson's Bass Communion project.
You can read it here
DOWNLOAD STORE
Theo now has his own official download store at Burningshed.com. You can downolad Theo's albums both in mp3 format and high resolution Flac format. There will also be exclusive download tracks only available there. This will include EP type length releases, live performances and other tracks. Theo fully endorses Burning Shed and please be aware that if you buy downloads from there as opposed to any other site, Theo will actually get payed for them!
TUITION
Theo is now accepting pupils in and around the London area for individual tuition for regular, occasional or one off classes. He would be happy to hear from any saxophone and flute players who are looking for some direction or advice in music.
A book of sheet music is available of Theo's compositions. Parts are both in concert pitch and Bb pitch for Tenor/Soprano saxophone or trumpet etc. Tunes included are Lulworth Night, Shore Thing, The Book, I'm Coming Home, Freedom, Out of Sight Out Of Mind, Three People, Full Moon Rising, Sex Food and Money (pt 2), Fish and Waterlily Boogie.
The book costs £11 including postage.
ON THE ROAD
THEO TRAVIS - JOHN ETHERIDGE LIVE IN GERMANY 2004. Filmed by Dave Cook in Wuppertal
SEE VIDEO CLIP (3.06).
real player required
RICHARD SINCLAIR - THEO TRAVIS LIVE AT THE CANTERBURY FESTIVAL 2003.
Scottish Islands tour 2002
(see also SCOTLAND TOUR DIARY) In October 2002, the Theo Travis Quartet undertook a 13 date tour of Scotland, including a trip to the Islands of Orkney, Mull and Iona. The band line up was Theo on tenor sax and flute, Phil Peskett on piano, Andy Hamill on bass and Marc Parnell on drums. Some of the gigs were return visits after the quartet's triumphant Scottish tour of 1998 and some were new venues for the band. Audiences were very appreciative and friendly and the band was made to feel very welcome wherever it went. The whole band was blown away by the incredibly beautiful scenery around the Highlands and great hospitality. Island crossings were trouble free except for a booking on a ferry that did not exist! Although it was late October, the band saw schools of dolphins and seals which is a rare treat on the way to a gig! An interview/feature was printed in the Inverness Courier and the quartet got a four star review in the Scotsman. The tour was a great success and the band hope to return in the not too distant future.
Gong World Tour 2000/2001 see list of GONG TOURS
SEE VIDEO CLIP - ( 2.47 ).
real player required
GONG with THEO TRAVIS. Live at the Subterania. London 2000.
