| Invitation
is the fifth record by The Peggy Lee Band and the second
release by the group for Drip Audio. The album showcases the high standard
of ensemble playing the group has become known for, as well as outstanding
individual performances by the members of the band. Peggy’s compositions
and arrangements cover a wide range of musical terrain––haunting
melodies and lush harmonies, driving rhythms, and complex sonic explorations;
each piece is constructed with the specific talents of the band members
in mind.
The ensemble consists of an all-star group of creative Canadian musicians
whose collective experience covers jazz, new music, electronica, free
improvisation, as well as classical music and pop. Consider the haunting
melody and ambient textures of “End Waltz,” the brilliance of
Brad Turner’s trumpet on “Path of a Smile,” the collective
textural improvisation that opens “Not So Far,” the soulful
Kwela inspired guitar of Tony Wilson on “Warming,” Jeremy Berkman’s
Berio-influenced statement on “Why Are You Yelling,” the burning
jazz tenor of John Bentley on “Punchy,” Ron Samworth’s
twelve-string psychedelia on “Little Pieces, van der Schyff’s
percussive overture to “Chorale,” as well as the unique take
on Mary Margaret O’hara’s timeless “You Will Be Loved Again.”
Indeed, this is an ensemble that can do pretty much anything asked of
it; and yet it maintains a unique and coherent sound thanks to the long
associations between members of the group and a deep collective commitment
to Peggy’s music.
Cellist, composer and band leader Peggy Lee resides in
Vancouver where she performs with a wide variety of ensembles including
the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, the string quartet, Microcosmos and the
new music ensemble, Standing Wave. As an interpreter and improviser she
works regularly with longtime associates Tony Wilson, Dylan van der Schyff,
Ron Samworth, Wayne Horvitz and Robin Holcomb, as well as in a new collaboration
with vocalist Mary Margaret O’Hara called Beautiful Tool. In the
past, Peggy has performed with the likes of trumpeter Dave Douglas, guitarist
Nels Cline (Wilco), guitarist Bill Frisell and Eyvind Kang. With her own
group, The Peggy Lee Band, she has been able to develop her compositional
skills––the band has released five CDs including the most recent,
Invitation.
Press:
"Imagine
a modern-day Duke Ellington combo spiced up with shards of noise, and
you’d be on the right track; it’s music that combines the timeless
and the otherworldly in equal measure." - The Georgia
Straight
"...there is an overall sense of completeness that makes this a great
album, rather than just an assemblage of good songs." - All
About Jazz
"…arguably
the most prominent improvising musician in the rich musical community
around Vancouver." - Pop Matters
"Albums
like Invitation are a rare breed. The fifth record by Vancouver cellist
Peggy Lee and her band is an accessible, eclectic mix of tender harmonies
and angular improvisation that touches on a number of stylistic influences
yet remains a strong, cohesive experience." - The Vancouver
Sun
"This is music that triggers brain
synapses while also sounding pretty." - Bird is the Worm
"...an
album brim-filled with musical grandeur of the highest order. I think
I'm just going to turn off the lights and listen to The Peggy Lee Band
for the rest of my life..." - Forest Gospel
"This
is beautiful music played by master musicians of a sort that is all too
rare." - The Province
"The
eleven-track recording impressively showcases The Peggy Lee Band as a
polished ensemble deftly capable of bringing Lee's compositions and arrangements
to life." - Textura
"...melodious,
nuanced, creative, with occasionally themes surging in a Post Rock-like
manner." - Monsieur Délire
"Inventive
and beautiful, and clearly unafraid to take risks." - emusic
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