Bill Frisell's 858 Quartet Returns With 'SIGN OF LIFE: Music for the 858 Quartet'

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Grammy-winning guitarist and composer Bill Frisell has reassembled The 858 Quartet and is preparing for the release of SIGN OF LIFE, their first recording in over five years.  The 858 Quartet was conceived when Frisell was commissioned to compose music inspired by the artist Gerhard Richter's 858 series of paintings which was exhibited by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.  Produced by longtime collaborator Lee Townsend and recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California in late 2010, SIGN OF LIFE features Frisell on guitar, Jenny Scheinman on violin, Eyvind Kang on viola and Hank Roberts on cello. Technically a string quartet, Frisell steers clear of any preconceptions with his distinctive textural and rhythmic guitar playing which anchors a tight yet improvisational ensemble. SIGN OF LIFE will be released on the Savoy Jazz label on April 26th.

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Described by the Wall Street Journal as "the most innovative and influential jazz guitarist of the past 25 years" Bill Frisell's talent is legendary and he's made an indelible imprint on American music. His passionate, versatile artistry transcends genres while maintaining a distinctive identity within the realms of jazz, rock, progressive folk, Americana, blues and classical.   The 858 Quartet, a hand-picked ensemble, performs together seamlessly conveying a strong improvisational spirit.  

Says Frisell: "I write the music down on paper. It is difficult to say what is composed, orchestrated, improvised, or arranged. I don't really have to tell anyone what to do. It is a musical language alive and changing all the time…growing and developing."

Bill Frisell will be performing throughout the year including a residency at the Village Vanguard from April 19-May 1.  In addition, Frisell is at work recording his definitive interpretations of John Lennon songs which is set for release in September 2011 and Floratone, his collaborative group that includes Matt Chamberlain, Tucker Martine and Lee Townshend, scheduled for March 2012.

"SIGN OF LIFE" track listing:

1. It's A Long Story (1)  (2:39)
2. Old Times (4:59)
3. Sign Of Life (2:49)
4. Friend Of Mine  (5:48)
5. Wonderland (3:18)
6. It's A Long Story (2)   (6:32)
7. Mother Daughter (2:20)
8. Youngster (3:01)
9. Recollection (2:54)
10. Suitcase In My Hand (2:22)
11. Sixty Four (3:52)
12. Friend Of Mine (2)   (1:49)
13. Painter (1:14)
14. Teacher (1:28)
15. All The People, All The Time (2:05)
16. Village (4:20)
17. As It Should Be (1:50)

Bill Frisell is managed by Songline/Tone Field Productions (www.songtone.com).  

For more information visit: http://www.savoyjazz.com/sites/savoy/sjDetails/d_billfrisell_signoflife.asp

Savoy Jazz is a unit of the Savoy Label Group (SLG).  SLG is the North American based division of Nippon Columbia, the oldest music company in Japan.  The Savoy Label Group has evolved into a Grammy Award winning and chart topping independent music company consistently outperforming competitors in key music categories as monitored by Billboard Magazine. SLG is led by Steve Vining and is based in Los Angeles, CA.

SOURCE Savoy Label Group