Welcome to the world of Tim Turvey

06/08/09 - sun media
Sal Bommarito

New CD tops for Turvey

Local jazz innovator Tim Turvey succeeds in fusing art and music in his latest CD release of experimental and original compositions.

The self-titled work has the hallmarks of Turvey's previous project, Autodidactic, in which he plays every instrument featured, with several trendsetting elements added for good measure.

Already known for combining a myriad of styles, including ska, reggae and funk, the "full-tilt" percussionist takes improvisational jazz to previously unexplored heights by adding classical strains to the mix.

From the debut of the czimbalon, an eastern European string instrument played with a little hammer, to a "conversation" between two saxophones on the fifth track, the 34-year-old artist lets his creativity run rampant. Above all else, freedom of expression is at the core of Turvey's ingenuity.
"It's good to keep things loose for the creativity to flow," he says in explaining how the musical synthesis happens both in the studio and on stage.
"Each performer does something a little different with the music. It's important to open up that door. I usually tell musicians who have never played with me, 'Show up and trust me.'"
The spontaneity evolves from people's comfort level, says Turvey, a multi-instrumentalist who can play drums, piano and guitar.

"I have a rule when we play: no shoes allowed. We try to make it a comfortable space. When people remove their shoes, they become instantly comfortable."

Certainly, instrumental extemporization, exemplified by his high-energy and hard-driving drum rhythms, has become his trademark. The new CD, slated for release tonight at Brantford Arts Block in the downtown, has it in spades.
"There are so many talented people out there you can watch. You can tell that they've had a lot of practice at what they do. That's different than watching people play with true emotion, with true passion, who are letting out raw emotions."

Most nights, Turvey likes to set the pace, and the new CD is certainly no exception.
"Being the band leader, you have to let it out if you want the people playing with you to let it out, too." And let it out they do.

Heart-pounding percussion is the driving force throughout most of the album, which features contributions from Turvey's accomplished bandmates and several special guests.

Jonny Kerr (bass), Jonas Berkley (sax) and Matt Mosionier (guitar) leave their marks on many of the tracks, as do contributors Kevin Williams (trumpet), Karl Langton (sax) of Quintessential, Tobias Yaremczuk (violin) and Mike Alonso (piano).

Improvisation, which Turvey explains is different than "speaking your instrument," is plentiful throughout the CD, especially on the no-holds-barred final track.

However, the musician goes to painstaking lengths to ensure authenticity of his art during the composition and production phases.
"I wrote it all out and recorded it on a digital recorder so everyone could listen to how the different parts are supposed to sound."

Executive producer Brian Gall, and well-known music producer Glen Marshall of Vibe Wrangler Studio in Hamilton, paved the way for Turvey's vision to take shape.
"(Vibe Wrangler) was fantastic. They create an environment that's perfect for recording. We had visited a number of studios when their name came up. We decided to visit them and we were there five minutes when we realized it was the place."

Turvey explains that it was important to capture the band's true sound on the CD, which, amazingly, was recorded over a long weekend.
"We wanted to use vintage equipment. We used a ribbon mic when we were recording. It creates a sound that's much warmer than high-tech equipment."

Turvey says the CD was produced "live" in the studio, which means that the songs were recorded in real-time versus recording different tracks and overlaying them later. He did, however, "put piano over most of the songs."

"It went so smooth," said Turvey. "To put so much effort into your
songs, and to have it go that way, is ultimately very rewarding."

It's only fitting that Turvey, who also dabbles in metal sculpture -he took a half-gutted piano and created a "giant bug" out it -is launching his new CD at Brantford Arts Block, a non-profit community arts organization on Dalhousie Street.

The former Sheridan College art student has been a longtime supporter of the local cultural scene.

"I thought it was a good middle ground for the launch. Some people don't like to go to concerts, some don't like bars. This is a more comfortable location. I also want to help support what they are doing. I'm proud of (executive director) Josh (Bean) for what he's accomplished. He had a vision and he stuck with it."

The CD's abstract art album cover is the work of New York City artist Milan Jilka, a former Brantford resident who attended Pauline Johnson Collegiate with Turvey.

Anyone who purchases the CD will be provided with a Web link and password to download nine tracks, along with a bonus track.

Fans also will be able to download different versions of two of the songs on the CD. A PDF version of the CD cover can be printed off and folded using origami technique.


photo by: - analecia molenaar - sun media