Clean Feed Records CF034 - to purchase click on this *

Stages of the Bullfight

Frank Rubolino writes in the liner notes, "For this venture, James chose to capture in music the essence of the bullfight in all its radiant glory.  The bullfight is the life and breath of Spain.  It has a tradition dating back several thousand years when Greek and Roman influences transformed religious sacrifice into a spectacular for the people.  It is passionately endorsed by that country’s populace. The sport is majestic, regal, and a skilled work of choreographed artistry.  In keeping with those qualities, James has generated a stunning work of musical art depicting the power, emotions, and elation emerging from the contest."

Here is part of a Q&A with Nate Dorward...

Q: The three CDs Plaza de Toros, The Last Matador & Into the Afterworld form a narrative of sorts around a bullfighter, his relationship to the bull, & his eventual death and afterlife.  Is bullfighting an interest that preexisted the recordings--have you attended bullfights, for instance?  

A: For the record, I've never attended a bullfight and don't have much interest in them.  For Plaza de Toros, I had prewritten most of the themes before the session and directed Dominic and Warren that I wanted a feeling of "Old Spain" throughout the recording.  They had no idea of the bullfight. I had previously thought of this idea months while living in Spanish Harlem.  The bullfight is one of the most intense archetypal confrontations in our history.  Is it not?  I couldn't have planned on it fitting more perfectly into the stages of the bullfight.  Like the album Faith in a Seed, Plaza de Toros is a musical allegory filled with many metaphors.  Could the charging toreo symbolize our inner struggles or demons ... or, is it the elusive ego of the matador that keeps us from the clarity to live a life of peace and joy?   Another viewpoint could be that the matador comes to realize while trying to out manuever this clever toreo, that this bullfight was more than just 'man conquering beast.'  As they each try to anticipate and outwit the other, it is revealed to him that their consciousness’ are in some way entwined.  If you use your imagination, you can hear that at times the horn or the bass is the matador and at other times the horn or the bass is the toreo.  Is this crafty animal his match, his equal?  In the finale, the Matador is hailed as the hero but, he realized, however, that it was the relentless and crafty Toro Bravo who in facing death so courageously became the true hero.  Like a good poem, there are many metaphors and perspectives that can lead to many interesting interpretations. 

The making of this album came together like a seamless dream.  In that moment, we lived it ...the first time that we played together as a trio. The sparks were flying.  You could almost smell the dirt ...every track made in one take."  Plaza de Toros is Part I of the Matador Trilogy.

Compositions by James Finn (Voluble Horn Music, ASCAP)

Recorded at the Gingko Tree Studio December 5th & 19th, 2003

Produced by James Finn for Trem Azul / Clean Feed Records

Engineered and Mixed by James Finn at the Gingko Tree Studio

Cover Art, Layout and Designby Rui Garrido

Liner Notes by Frank Rubolino

Press

"I find this very interesting...they lean toward the esoteric, introverted, very personal kind of interplay."

- Ed Thigpen, legendary drummer, Jazz Times, Opening Chorus, November 2005, Plaza de Toros

"James Finn has rapidly established himself as a player to watch, or rather listen to ...his trio is one of the most exciting working units in contemporary jazz ....you should treat yourself to a seat in this particular Plaza de Toros at the earliest opportunity."

- Dan Warburton, Paris Transatlantic, Plaza de Toros

"Finn reveals a talent and passion for improvised music played at an extraordinarily high level."

- Mark Corroto, All About Jazz, June 2005, Plaza de Toros

"... this smokin' jazz CD will transport those in our readership who are "true Jazz-oids" to the heights!  Finn's tenor work just shines in this trio setting ...emerge into this "new day" of music that rides the edge.  Simply superb compositions; the album draws immediate MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from this reviewer!  GET this one!"

- Rotcod Zzaj , Improvijazzation Nation, Issue #72, Plaza de Toros

"This is surely one of 2005's strongest releases."

- Jay Collins, Cadence Magazine, November 2005, Plaza de Toros

"Finn's tenor sax playing has a fascinating flow, employing elements of Coltrane's harmonic sense, Sonny Rollins's use of rhythm, and Ayler's emotional intensity. This is an excellent recording and I'm looking forward to the next."

 - Alan Lankin, Jazzmatatazz, Plaza de Toros

"VOICE PICK - James Finn - Plaza de Toros heralds the arrival of a young saxophonist with crazy energy and bold ideas to spare."

- Francis Davis, The Village Voice, Plaza de Toros

"These recordings picked up where late-period Coltrane left off and Finn's playing is characterized by nearly continuous forward momentum and a charismatic presence bolstered by fresh material and the leader's purposeful seriousness ...he is a free jazz talent to be reckoned with."

- Jeff Stockton, All About Jazz NY, June 2005, Plaza de Toros

"...Finn has a gift for a romanticism that embraces Dyonisian as well as Apollonian energies."

- Kevin Le Gendre, Jazzwise Magazine, August 2005, Plaza de Toros

"I delight myself to the shade of this alegoria on the art of the toureio."

- Eduardo V. Chagas, Jazz e Arredores, Portugal, Plaza de Toros

"...James Finn plays with both fierce intensity and sharp clarity of mind. Yes, his approach and the instrumentation both bring to mind Ornette Coleman, but Finn is his own man with his own (some will say better) sound."

- Rick Anderson, CD Hotlist, Plaza de Toros

"...Finn has a gift for a romanticism that embraces Dyonisian as well as Apollonian energies."

- Kevin Le Gendre, Jazzwise Magazine, August 2005, Plaza de Toros

"This talent for irrepressible continuity marks an important edge for the saxophonist over many of his peers."

- Derek Taylor, The Bagatellen, Plaza de Toros

"What distinguishes Finn is the musicality of his approach.  He is authentically passionate and creative...this is affecting stuff. "

- Chris Kelsey, Jazz Times, July 2005 issue, Plaza de Toros

"...the fact that Finn, Duval and Smith convey such conviction and necessity in their music trumps derivativeness with sincerity and power, something which a lot of contemporary music could do well to study."

- Clifford Allen, All About Jazz, Plaza de Toros

"What distinguishes Finn is the musicality of his approach.  He is authentically passionate and creative."

- Chris Kelsey, Jazz Times, July 2005 issue, Plaza de Toros

"Finn is a talent on the rise... is definitely one to watch."

- Troy Collins, One Final Note, Plaza de Toros 

"Emerging..."

Bruce Kanzler, Hot House Magazine, Winning Spins June 2005, Plaza de Toros

Village Voice

Honorable Mention - Pick Hits

"Living by his wits, with momentary flashes of Spanish bravado."

- Tom Hull, Village Voice, Plaza de Toros

"...this CD offers free jazz playing of the highest order."

- Marc Meyers, All About Jazz, Plaza de Toros  

"James Finn is an up and coming New York based tenor saxophonist who draws on the Sonny Rollins/ David S. Ware tradition of combining compositional foresight with a facility for bold single notes and the gush of pure spirit."

- David Keenan, The Wire, July 2005, Plaza de Toros

"James crafts a masterful conceptual portrait overflowing with potency and warmth."

- Frank Rubolino, liner notes for Plaza de Toros

James Finn Music
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