Just when you thought vinyl was dead, CDs were on their way out and the laptop DJ was taking over, here comes Cobblestone Jazz. A unique trio, Cobblestone Jazz uses early computers and analog instruments to create sliced down sounds that retain the quality of improvisational jazz within the parameters of a minimal, dance-floor aesthetic. Through a real-time exchange of musical form, language, and ideas, Tyger Dhula, Mathew Jonson, and Danuel Tate provide a continual sense of surprise and discovery for their listeners.

With releases dating back to 2002, the group has had unparalleled success in Europe and is now here to test the US waters. With shows in Denver, Seattle, New York and Los Angeles these boys are sure to make a splash. Their sound is not something you’ve probably heard before, but they come highly recommended by some of the worlds top DJs and producers. They will be at Cielo NYC on Thursday February 21st so be sure to come check them out. We caught up with the crew right before their NYC show and here is what they had to say -

Q&A with Cobblestone Jazz

UMP3: So how did the three of you meet from such disparate backgrounds and end up making electronic dance music together?

Cobblestone Jazz : We all met in Victoria BC in the mid 90’s. Dhula and Danuel met first, and Danuel was drawn towards increased collaborations in electronic music, hence a relationship with Mat was formed.
The Mole aka Colin de la Plante was an early collaborator in Montreal. After an armed robbery left the quartet without any equipment, the three left Montreal and eventually formed Cobblestone Jazz.

UMP3: Where does the name “Cobblestone Jazz” derive from?

Cobblestone Jazz : It was actually coined by a friend, as we were looking for a band name for the three of us after The Mole remained in Montreal. The original group was a quartet - The Modern Deep Left Quartet.
Thelonious Sphere Monk (d.1982) One of the most important musicians in jazz, Monk had a unique improvisational style full of dissonant harmonies and angular melodic twists. His unorthodox approach to the piano, combined a highly percussive attack with abrupt, dramatic use of silences and hesitations.

UMP3: Who are your jazz heroes?

Cobblestone Jazz : Too many to list, but Eddie Harris, Theolonious Monk, Lonnie Smith and Ramsay Lewis have to rank up there.

UMP3: Have you taken in Laurent Garnier’s live band? Any thoughts on what he is doing vis-à-vis Cobblestone Jazz?

Cobblestone Jazz : Unfortunately we have yet to hear Mr Garnier’s band, so we are unable to comment on this, although I am sure it is absolutely fantastic.

Laurent Garnier’s new live band consists of Bugge Wesseltoft and Benjamin Rippert on keyboards, and Philippe Nadaud on brass and brings Laurent’s unmistakable brand of techno into the live arena with the quartet jamming and improvising as jazz musicians. Their recently released Live album PUBLIC OUTBURST is a series of live recordings and sessions from the band during the summer of 2006.

UMP3: You play most of your music on early computers and analog instruments. What is it about the older equipment that resonates with you guys?

Cobblestone Jazz : It is definitely the warmth and individuality of the instruments we are drawn to.

UMP3: Your shows involves a lot of improvisation and grooving off of one another. With Mathew in Berlin and both Tyger and Danuel in Victoria, BC – how have you guys developed your live show? Do you guys have virtual jam sessions?

Cobblestone Jazz : No virtual jam sessions, but we have played together so much over the years we can conceptualize ideas and forms by talking about it. We started the project as a live performance group, with no studio recordings for the first 2-3 years. Those roots are still the fabric of the band today.

UMP3: Are you considering any future collaborations with other artists as Cobblestone Jazz?

Cobblestone Jazz : Not as such, but we are certainly open to them.

UMP3: You released your first full-length album “23 Seconds” a few months ago. With singles like “Lime in da coconut” and “W” getting high marks. What is the meaning behind the title and what has the overall reaction been to it?

Cobblestone Jazz : Mathew was really into all the connotations about the number 23, and we felt the “23 seconds” part really summed up the immediacy of how we create, very in the moment, amongst other things. The feedback and reception has been very positive to date.

Cobblestone Jazz ‘23 Seconds’ is out now on K7!.
www.cobblestonejazz.com

UMP3: Well thanks for taking the time out and were looking forward to both your NYC and WMC gigs. Cobblestone Jazz will be playing with Three at the Hallucination Limited party at Pawn Shop on Tuesday, March 25th.