Frock - Degustation MP3 samples and track listing coming soon
Craig Beard - Vibraphone and Percussion, Adam Starr - Giutars, Anthony Schulz - Piano Accordion and Piano, Simon Starr - Bass, Dave Beck - Drums and Percussion
"…Five musicians of the highest artistic quality…a great ability to make difficult music sound easy…what they play and sing make a unique experience..."
From the Italian publication 'll Corriere Laziale'.
Frock is five musicians who bring together years of performance and writing experience into one ensemble. The group explores compositional forms and aesthetics from cultures as varied as Eastern Europe, Cuba, West Africa and Latin America. These inf1nences are combined with passion, energy, and humour to form the unique hybrid that is Frock.
It is in Melbourne, a cross-cultural melting pot, where this ensemble was born. Drawing on a wide range of musical and artistic influences and using atypical instrumentation, i.e. piano accordion and vibraphone, the group creates a sound that is at once past, present and future. Traditional acoustic instruments meet their modern electric counterparts, classical European folk forms get a modern jazz treatment, the lines dividing individual virtuosity and collective improvisation are crossed. Frock creates truly original music and is a unique sound experience.
In 1998, Frock released it’s debut CD, Caught Gesture, recorded at the ABC studios. An additional five tracks were recorded which have been regularly broadcast on Jim McLeod's Jazztrack program on ABC Classic FM. In 1998 Frock performed at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival to rave reviews, and toured Sydney to critical acclaim in January 1999.
Following the release of Caught Gesture, Frock performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and in other countries throughout Europe including Italy, Austria and Germany.
May of 2000 saw the release of Frock's second CD, Tales of Olive Groves, also recorded at the ABC. The CD received an ARIA nomination by Newmarket Music for Best Jazz Album.
Frock once again toured Europe in August 2000 performing in Switzerland (the Montreux Jazz Festival) and Germany, where the band recorded its third CD Splash. On the way home to Melbourne, Frock stopped over in Singapore, where they gave three performances and two workshops, one at the La Salle College of the Arts, and one for the general public. The final concert was given in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where they played before an audience of 4000 people.
In October 2000 Frock performed a sell-out concert as a sextet at ‘The Jazz Lab’ featuring American vibes and marimba player Dave Samuels (Sypro Gyra, Yellow Jackets, Frank Zappa, Oscar Peterson and Pat Metheny to name a few of the groups he has performed/recorded with).
In 2001 Frock performed at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, celebrated it’s 4th birthday with another sell-out concert at ‘The Jazz Lab’ and were the only Australian representative at the inaugural Singapore International Jazz Festival in May.
2002 saw Frock actively performing and writing in addition to launching it's third C.D. Splash. The new CD, which was once again distributed by Newmarket Music was launched with a concert at ‘The Jazz Lab. Frock perfored at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival in 2002 and at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival in January 2003.
Now Frock releases it’s fourth recording, Degustation on both CD and vinyl, and will once again tour throughout Australia and internationally. The band continues to play to enthusiastic audiences wherever they perform, and repeatedly draw on their long association and ongoing development to make the sound of Frock always fresh and dynamic - and musically exciting for both the listeners and the performers.
What the reviewers are saying……
"The music changes from melodious rhythms and clear harmonies to sophisticated passages which challenge the musical capabilities of the band as well as the musical education of the listeners. Frock knows how to enthuse their audience."
From the German publication, Bad Bernecker Stadtanzeiger.
"...certainly unusual were outfits such as Frock, whose members worked with unusual instrumental line-ups to produce an intriguing array of tone colours and rhythms..." Jessica Nichols, The Age.
"Melbourne band Frock made interesting use of piano accordion, vibraphone and electric guitar."
John Clare, Rhythms Magazine.
"This Melbourne quintet offers a fresh and unusual sound…the tunes are all original; the opener, 'Detention and Release', gives a fair idea of what the band is all about, with assured solos over a varied and strong groove."
Adrian Jackson, Rhythms Magazine.
"Melbourne outfit Frock were one of the highlights of Wangaratta last year, providing a fresh and startling take on contemporary jazz…overall their music is balanced, melodic and inquisitive, with arrangements exhibiting great delicacy and wit."
Craig N. Pearce, The Drum Media.
"In an era where so many acts conservatively recycle earlier jazz styles this Melbourne five piece has come up with a unique sound."
The Australian.
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