This piece is a brilliant blend of leading, playing counter-melodies, background harmonies and fills behind the soloist(s), doubling the lead, and creating riff-based accompaniment. We saw these things years ago when Ewan Bleach was playing with Tuba Skinny. The group in this video is skilled and well-balanced. The first combination of instruments hands the piece over to the guitar, piano and tuba for a very effective contrast, and then this sub-group passes it back to the first. This particular piece blends a formal feeling with a sense of improvisation. Who would have guessed that this combination of instruments, driven by a baritone saxophone, could sound so great? The only other groups I'm aware of that bring this sort of skill and rigor to a period piece are Greg Ruby and the Rhythm Runners and Post-Modern Jukebox.
Happy to see Ryan doin' his thang!
This piece is a brilliant blend of leading, playing counter-melodies, background harmonies and fills behind the soloist(s), doubling the lead, and creating riff-based accompaniment. We saw these things years ago when Ewan Bleach was playing with Tuba Skinny. The group in this video is skilled and well-balanced. The first combination of instruments hands the piece over to the guitar, piano and tuba for a very effective contrast, and then this sub-group passes it back to the first. This particular piece blends a formal feeling with a sense of improvisation. Who would have guessed that this combination of instruments, driven by a baritone saxophone, could sound so great? The only other groups I'm aware of that bring this sort of skill and rigor to a period piece are Greg Ruby and the Rhythm Runners and Post-Modern Jukebox.