ALLY's new release Drum Junk features a blend of Peruvian and Brazilian rhythmic styles with jazz harmony and spoken-word from Brazilian-Australian Dai Moret. Original Latin Jazz pieces inhabit the same joy-filled universe as a Latinized Thelonious Monk composition!
Out now on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes Store, Deezer, Amazon Music and Tidal
... an important work in moulding and propagating crucial rhythmic tradition to help ensure its relevance for generations to come.
Josh Underhill
Dingo Magazine Spring Issue 2022
Drum Junk was a result of work between saxophonist Gai Bryant and percussionist Giorgio Rojas. Giorgio is one of the finest exponents of Afro-Peruvian music styles we have in Australia. It was great pleasure to work with him on those styles and fashion pieces that allowed the band members to use their skills as jazz players and learn to incorporate Afro-Peruvian and Brazilian rhythmic patterns in their lines. Jerry Gonzalez’ Rumba Monk album provided inspiration on blending Latin and jazz sensibility in a group composed of Latin and Jazz musicians, and in tribute we have included our rendition of his version of In a Monk’s Dream and Miguel Blanco’s arrangement of Goodbye Pork Pie Hat that featured Jerry.
The music styles we explored for Drum Junk included Peruvian lando and festejo, Brazilian maracatu and baião, alongside flamenco music styles such as bulerias and tangos. All the pieces are infused with jazz harmony and interaction. We have been fortunate to have poet Dai Moret adding spoken word on select compositions. Luck was on our side when bassist Lloyd Swanton came on board as producer. His instincts are a wonder and we benefited from them throughout the entire process from recording to mixing and mastering. I can’t say enough good things about Lloyd. Incredible musician and human being.
Gai Bryant – alto and soprano saxophones
James Greening – trombone
Daniel Pliner – piano
Max Alduca – double bass
Giorgio Rojas – cajon, udu, congas, guira, bongo
Dai Moret – spoken word
All compositions written by Gai Bryant with the exception of ‘In a Monk’s Dream’ by Thelonius Monk and ‘Goodbye Pork Pie Hat’ by Charles Mingus.
