EUGENE FRIESEN ENSEMBLE

I started the ensemble in December of ‘05 as a forum for presenting my music, and some of my favorite musicians, in an exciting live forum. Tim Ray on piano and synthesizer, Satoshi Takeishi on drums, percussion and laptop, and Freddie Bryant on guitars, are musicians who I have a great working relationship with and whose playing inspires me.

Tim Ray’s piano playing could only be born in America. Classically trained initially, he took the jazz turn early in his life and has developed a fluency with rhythm and harmony which always seems to peak in concert. His thirteen years on the road with Lyle Lovett forged in him a deep comfort with a wide variety of American folk and pop styles, and his experience accompanying singers make him a dream to play with. A great composer, arranger and music director, he is one of the most rounded musical beings ever to brighten my doorstep.

I’ve played with Satoshi Takeishi for some years when he has performed with the Paul Winter Consort. Satoshi also has a unique life story which has informed his almost cosmic sense of music. He was born in Japan, went to music school in New York City, then spent years in South America - these facts can be felt in Satoshi’s performance which exudes rigor, swing, excitement, taste and mystery.

Freddie Bryant is an amazingly well-rounded musician and person. Though his first musical language was jazz, his playing and sound has the refinement of a classical artist, particularly when playing the music of Brazil. Freddie’s love of various world musics has imbued his playing with deep dimensions of rhythm and harmony, and he plays 12-string, classical and electric guitars in our concerts. Freddie is also a teacher of Tai Chi, and his discipline and focus make him a tremendous asset to the group.

The cello has a strong emotional effect on people, but I like to use it in surprising ways too, “...a biting, crunching rhythm instrument” is how the Miami Herald described it! Though my childhood was filled with classical and sacred music, I find great pleasure in non-classical settings for the cello, and have integrated aspects of jazz, world music and folk fiddling into my playing. Still, my goal is to connect emotionally with listeners, and the noble voice and the versatility of the cello make it fun.

In our concerts we aim for mystery, joyfulness, grace and feeling. The ensemble has a huge pallette of possibilities, grooves and styles which make our concerts colorful and our sound constantly shifting.

We play music from my five solo albums, and have arranged the songs to feature the virtuosic strengths of the players. And we’re adding new repertoire to integrate my current musical interests: the music of Brazil, Venezuela, West Africa and Ireland.