LATEST NEWS
Travis - Etheridge
On Fri 9 July, Theo appeared in session on BBC Radio 3 In Tune in a short improvised piece of music with guitarist John Etheridge.
You can hear it here-
bbc.co.uk/programmes/ (at 1 hour 20 )
He also joined the interview with John Etheridge. John Etheridge was there to promote his week residency at the Pizza Express, Dean St, London W1 and on Sun July 18, the Soft Machine Legacy will be performing live there. "
Travis & Fripp on tour, on vinyl, on CD, in the press...
Theo has been very busy with Robert Fripp recently. After the release of the new CD - Live at Coventry Cathedral, the pair flew to Spain for a tour of Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante and Malaga. Several gigs were sold out and in Madrid concert the pair sold as many tickets as Pat Metheney and more than Michael Nyman. One of the Malaga concerts was reviewed in the national press and was awarded 4 stars out of 5. In June, Travis & Fripp played Bath Festival Fringe in their first UK performance that was not a church or cathedral. Further concerts will take place at the Cheltenham festival on July 13 and 14 (see live dates page for details) and there is talk of an Italian tour in November.
Meanwhile the Live at Coventry Cathedral CD has been receiving excellent reviews-
Record Collector gives it 4 stars and says-
"Forget Religion -this is what Cathedrals are for", then goes on to say "any tracklisting or analysis is superfluous, as what you hear is a Zen-like improvisation where egos and chops are submgerged in breathtaking intuitive interplay."
MOJO magazine says-
"Fripp uses the luminous acoustics to enhance the orchestral textures conjured by his guitar synths. But it's the presence of Travis, on alto flute, soprano sax and loops, that makes this album special. Using his jazz man's instincts, his lines cut through or enhance Fripp's gently undulating ocean of sound - a happy mix of digital and traditional music-making. "
In All About Jazz (USA) describing the version of King Crimson's "Moonchild" -
"As would be expected from this duo, however, song form is largely dispensed with and, instead, flute, guitar, and electronics mine the melody at the song's core, as Travis and Fripp improvise at a level far beyond Crimson's nascent capabilities four decades ago....Ephemeral, ethereal, atmospheric at times; dark, brooding, and more decidedly grounded at others..."
The Times newspaper says-
" a guitarist , a flautist and a cathedral: all three carry equal credit in inspiring this brooding,improvised epic".
Jazzwise magazine gives an excellent review-
" The Fripp/ Travis nexus is proving a rich yet terrifying combination. Following on from 2008’s Thread, a single elongated improvisation, comes this even more satisfying live set of impressionistic soundscapes. Both musicians have trod similar paths before, Travis with his looped flute and solo sax flights, Fripp of course with his sublime Churchscapes. But together they create a special otherness. For starters, Fripp plays straighter (as far as he ever does) guitar than in the churchscapes as he now has Travis to create those lyrical , tidal washes behind, through and over him. Travis also plays bluesier sax than you might expect, with refreshingly few effects or affectation ; check out the call and response of the duo on the fifth meditation. Nor do either tip into ambient excess ; indeed Travis’ tones push Fripp into dark, at times yawing gasps of despair ;this is music for a Coventry that’s been blitzed, not some New Age noodlefest. For all its airy freedom and marshmallow skies, the music remains disciplined and at times heart-rendingly poignant. This is Travis’ gift to Fripp, to give him a little soul to lean on."
Finally, in the Observer newspaper on Sun 13 June, rock critic Paul Morley referred to Live at Coventry Cathedral as one of this year's CD releases he has played the most... See - guardian.co.uk/music
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
also read Theo's interview for tourdates.co.uk
NEW 2010 RELEASE
Travis & Fripp - Live at Coventry Cathedral
On March 29 2010 the new CD by Theo and Robert Fripp is released worldwide by Panegyric (Europe), Inner Knot (USA) and WHD (Japan). The CD was recorded live as part of Coventry Jazz Festival in May 2009 in front of an enthusiastic crowd of about 350 people. The CD is of the entire concert which comprised two sets.
Go to CD Releases to play clips from the album and Theo discusses the music and how the two players approached it on the Messages. The CD is available via the Ordering.
Theo will be happy to sign copies bought from this site if you indicate you would like this done either on the paypal order or by mailing Theo
CIPHER TOUR - Feb/March 2010
Theo's next tour is with his ambient electronic band Cipher (with Dave Sturt).To coincide with the ninetieth anniversary of the classic silent film "The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari" (1920) Cipher present their new soundtrack performed live in cinemas as part of a UK tour. This seminal horror film tells the story of the deranged Dr. Caligari and his faithful sleepwalking Cesare, and their connection to a string of murders. Critics worldwide have praised the film for its expressionist style, complete with wild, distorted set design. Caligari has been cited as an influence on film noir, one of the earliest horror films, and a model for directors for many decades.
Cipher complement the film with their unique style of jazz electronica incorporating live looping and computer processing techniques to produce a genuinely mysterious Gothic experience.
See live dates page for details.
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
The Tangent tour - 2005
See also thetangent.org
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 - best with broadband).
real player required
GONG with THEO TRAVIS. Live at the Subterania. London 2000.
