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Ergo

Ergo's music is one of stark melodic beauty, enveloping electro-acoustic texture and empathic imagination. In attempts to describe their sound critics have compared them to music as diverse as Duke Ellington, Autechre, Sigur Ros, Sun Ra, and King Crimson.

In 2003, trombonist and composer Brett Sroka began exploring beyond his Jazz background and became fascinated with electronic music, surrounding himself with synthesizers and software. As he sought to reconcile the six hundred years of technology between trombone and computer he also found, in keyboardist Carl Maguire and drummer Shawn Baltazor, musicians of similarly elastic and adventurous temperaments. As they played throughout New York City and the Northeast US over the next few years an idiosyncratic dynamic began to cohere and Ergo was born.

With their debut cd, "Quality Anatomechanical Music Since 2005", Ergo put forth a statement of purpose and was lauded by AllAboutJazz-NY as the “Best Debut CD” of 2006. They have since brought their music to the Williamsburg Jazz Festival in Brooklyn, NY, the Sonic Circuits Festival in Washington D.C., and the Risonanze festival in Venice, Italy. Ergo’s sophomore cd, “multitude, solitude”, has just been released on the eminent Cuneiform Records label.

Awards

Best debut cd 2006 - All About Jazz - NY


Tags

Album Review

Ergo: As subtle as tomorrow

Read "As subtle as tomorrow" reviewed by Vic Albani


Ritengo la Cuneiform una delle migliori e intelligenti etichette musicali esistenti poiché, lavorando su territori spesso assai diversi fra loro, riesce regolarmente a evidenziare new forms e ricerche di spessore in molti lavori di artisti celebrati o meno. È il caso di questi Ergo (che hanno anche un sito che si chiama “ergo is a band"!), trio composto dal trombonista Brett Sroka (di lui si parla molto a New York anche per via delle ultime collaborazioni con ...

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Album Review

Ergo: As subtle as tomorrow

Read "As subtle as tomorrow" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


The premise for this album is based on a succinct Emily Dickenson poem, As Subtle as Tomorrow with the verse allocated to the individual track titles. Subtle is an adjective that parallels the trio's chief mode of operations. The band's muse is nestled somewhere within an existential progressive jazz format, layered with ambient-electronic treatments and hearty doses of improv. They also interlace minimalist sojourns, partly due to pianist's Sam Harris' harmonically driven ostinato phrasings. Thus, appealing melodies often serve as ...

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Album Review

Ergo: If Not Inertia

Read "If Not Inertia" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


A few decades ago, it wasn't evident that computers could become an integral component to music, other than some experimental persuasions set forth by the likes of eminent modern jazz trombonist George Lewis, who helped pioneer live electronics. But trombonist Brett Sroka carries the torch, yet in a different or, perhaps, more subtle light. With first-call avant-garde guitarist Mary Halvorson injecting her sinewy, odd-tuned phrasings, and acoustic guitarist Sebastian Kruger appearing on one track of If Not Inertia, the band's ...

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Album Review

Ergo: Multitude, Solitude

Read "Multitude, Solitude" reviewed by Elliott Simon


During the past two decades, electronic music has solidified its initial uneasy alliance with acoustic jazz. Newer releases such as Ergo's Multitude, Solitude are able to get past that original awkward balance and meld electronics with jazz improvisation and instrumental technique. The result is a trio that interacts like one but also accesses the broader sound palette and ambience that electronics allow. On most tunes, trombonist Brett Sroka remains at the music's center and in only rare ...

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Album Review

Ergo: Multitude, Solitude

Read "Multitude, Solitude" reviewed by Nic Jones


This is a trio working the electro-acoustic margins, as the instrumental line-up might suggest; and whilst Ergo's music often flirts with ambient notions, there is equally a predominant air of unease about their work, as if by mutual consent they can only reach a kind of uneasy rapprochement with both silence and the moment.

The air of the unresolved--which is also sometimes symptomatic of their work--could similarly be the outcome of shared resolve. Indeed without that air the lengthy “Vessel" ...

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Album Review

Ergo: Multitude, Solitude

Read "Multitude, Solitude" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Keyboardist Carl Maguire is a multifaceted artiste, often-heralded for his work in various jazz-related formats for Between The Lines, MoonJune Records and other progressive record labels. On this trio's second CD, Maguire, trombonist/computer operator Brett Sroka and drummer Shawn Baltazor spawn an experimental muse, where rigid definitions or categorizations, justifiably fall flat. Essentially, the respective artists rely on synergy and intuition to get the job done. And that is a good thing, since the cutting-edge aspects translate into an endearing ...

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Album Review

Ergo: Multitude, Solitude

Read "Multitude, Solitude" reviewed by John Kelman


As jazz leans away from characteristics that so defined its earliest days, groups are emerging with unorthodox instrumental combinations, fleshed out by the vast potential of technological soundscaping. Ergo, at its core, seems as unconventional as they get--trombone, keyboards, drums--creating music that wouldn't have been possible before relatively recent innovations in sound processing and sampling/looping. Its 2005 indie debut, Quality Anatomechanical Music Since 2005, received significant critical acclaim, making its follow-up on the better-distributed Cuneiform label a sure bet for ...

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Recording

Bassist And Composer Fernando Huergo’s Big Band Album “the Possibility Of Change” Breathes Courage And Bravery To A Society In Transition

Bassist And Composer Fernando Huergo’s Big Band Album “the Possibility Of Change” Breathes Courage And Bravery To A Society In Transition

Source: Outside in Music

Electric bassist, composer, and bandleader Fernando Huergo is no stranger to the modern-day music scene, with 11 albums under his belt as a leader, and over 140 as a sideman. As one who artfully blends the grooves and melodic conception of Argentinean music with modern jazz, Fernando has played in ensembles of virtually every size, but as a leader, he had exclusively worked with small groups. The The Possibility of Change showcases Fernando’s artistry on a large canvas, as he ...

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Event

Young Sounds Of Arizona Announces Free Concert & Master Class With Renowned Tenor Saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi

Young Sounds Of Arizona Announces Free Concert & Master Class With Renowned Tenor Saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi

Source: Marisa Arellano

Young Sounds of Arizona is pleased to announce that renowned tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi will be joining our ensembles on Monday May 8th at the Kerr Cultural Center in Scottsdale for a free performance that is open to the public. “Jerry Bergonzi is a fantastic saxophonist and truly understands jazz at its core. We are thrilled that he will be working with our students and performing with them as well. This is such a unique opportunity for Young Sounds members”, ...

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Education

New England Conservatory Artist In Residence: Jerry Bergonzi

New England Conservatory Artist In Residence: Jerry Bergonzi

Source: Ann Braithwaite

Jerry Bergonzi knows all about the struggles that used to face aspiring jazz musicians. The Boston native withdrew from the liberal arts college he was attending after being continually thrown out of practice rooms “so somebody serious about music” could use the space. The young saxophonist also found that many veterans of the period were not inclined to mentor newcomers. “Back then, if somebody knew, they weren’t going to tell you,” he recalls. “`Learn tunes’ and `listen to records’ was ...

Recording

Provinciano By Argentinian Bassist Fernando Huergo Rereleased

Provinciano By Argentinian Bassist Fernando Huergo Rereleased

Source: Mika Pohjola

Argentinian bassist and composer Fernando Huergo rereleases his successful album, Provinciano, on Blue Music Group, now featuring a new mix and master, made for iTunes. Featuring thirteen compositions, most of them from Huergo's creative pen, the album has been praised by the media - All About Jazz says “Huergo triumphantly morphs the best of several musical worlds into this dazzling masterwork", and All Music Guide: “Highly recommended!" Fernando Huergo was born in Córdoba, Argentina, but has resided in Boston, Massachusetts ...

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Recording

Bandleader Michael Treni Continues His Resurgence With "Boys Night Out," A Powerhouse Session Showcasing His 16-piece Orchestra With Jerry Bergonzi

Bandleader Michael Treni Continues His Resurgence With "Boys Night Out," A Powerhouse Session Showcasing His 16-piece Orchestra With Jerry Bergonzi

Source: Braithwaite & Katz Communications

A boys’ night out is usually dedicated to the avid pursuit of instant gratification, but in the case of trombonist Michael Treni, this convivial music hang was a long time coming. His fourth release since rededicating himself to music after a successful career in business, Boys Night Out features Treni’s talent-laden 16-piece orchestra. It’s the work of a savvy leader who knows how to get the most out of his crew. While Boston tenor sax legend Jerry Bergonzi is the ...

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TV / Film

Big Notes Films Releases "Nobody's Human" with Jerry Bergonzi

Big Notes Films Releases "Nobody's Human" with Jerry Bergonzi

Source: Nicole Thompson

Nobody's Human captures four jazz musicians collaborating in studio to create this fascinating video, featuring the music of Jerry Bergonzi. Shot at Creation Studios in Minneapolis. Produced by Bradford Thompson of Big Notes Films, and world-renowned bassist, Billy Peterson (Ben Sidran, Steve Miller Band). Tenor saxophonist, Jerry Bergonzi, is an internationally recognized jazz performer, composer, author and educator. His music is renowned for its innovation, mastery, and integrity. Bergonzi's music has been applauded throughout the world at festivals, concert halls, ...

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TV / Film

Big Notes Films Releases DVD: "We’ll Be White Black" with Jerry Bergonzi, Billy Peterson, Joe Pulice & Bill Carrothers

Big Notes Films Releases DVD:  "We’ll Be White Black" with Jerry Bergonzi, Billy Peterson, Joe Pulice & Bill Carrothers

Source: Nicole Thompson

Big Notes Films Releases DVD: “We'll Be White Black" with Jerry Bergonzi, Billy Peterson, Joe Pulice & Bill Carrothers Big Notes Films, a film production company owned and operated by Bradford Thompson, is pleased to announce the release of the DVD We'll Be White Black, filmed live at The Dakota Restaurant & Jazz Club in Minneapolis. It was a collaborative project with Billy Peterson (former bassist, The Steve Miller Band) as Music Producer, and Bradford Thompson as Director/Producer. Tenor saxophonist, ...

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Recording

R&B Songstress Corinne Bailey Rae Undergoes a "Sea" Change

R&B Songstress Corinne Bailey Rae Undergoes a "Sea" Change

Source: All About Jazz

No one could have planned the album that became Corinne Bailey Rae's sophomore work, even though the determined young Brit tried mightily to impose her vision on The Sea. Life, and death, however, intervened. Rae, who'll showcase the album on a five-week North American tour beginning Tuesday in Los Angeles, says she wanted “a heavier, more aggressive, more dynamic record that would have more contrast" than her self-titled 2006 debut album. “I wanted to co-produce it, I wanted to record ...

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Interview

Fernando Huergo, a Latin Jazz/Chacarera Bass Master

Fernando Huergo, a Latin Jazz/Chacarera Bass Master

Source: Michael Ricci

By Myron Black Fernando Huergo is an acclaimed pioneer in the Latin jazz realm. He is often on the bandstand with Marta Gomez, Guillermo Klein and his own band, Jazz Argentino. Fernando was born in northern Argentina, and moved to Boston in the early 90's, where he's lived since then, although he often does gigs in the New york area. What makes this bass player really interesting is the new wave of grooves he has introduced in the scene: An ...

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Recording

Celebrate Cuneiform Records Download Week: Free MP3s by Wadada Leo Smith, Ergo, Zevious, Jason Adasiewic and Beat Circus

Celebrate Cuneiform Records Download Week: Free MP3s by Wadada Leo Smith, Ergo, Zevious, Jason Adasiewic and Beat Circus

Source: Michael Ricci

Download five free MP3s courtesy of Cuneiform Records.

She Haunts Me (3:41) Ergo From: Multitude, Solitude Cuneiform Records South Central L.A. Kulture (4:50) Wadada Leo Smith From: Spiritual Dimensions Cuneiform Records Where's the Captain? (5:10) Zevious From: After the Air Raid Cuneiform Records Hide (4:26) Jason Adasiewicz's Rolldown From: Varmint Cuneiform Records ...

"Ergo's trombonist Brett Sroka, keyboardist Carl Maguire and drummer Shawn Baltazor are all part of a generation for which Autechre and Sigur Ros are as pressing concerns as Armstrong and Sun Ra. That's certainly evident in the band's timbral sophistication, spacey contours and slinky grooves." TIME OUT, NEW YORK

". . . atmospheric collective, which takes full advantage of electronic programming and cross-genre appropriation." THE NEW YORK TIMES

"An Ellington fiend who likes to get his computerized space-dub on, the trombonist has lots of sound sculpture in him. His rather dramatic art music is both texturally rich and compositionally engaging." THE VILLAGE VOICE

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

As subtle as tomorrow

Cuneiform Records
2016

buy

If Not Inertia

Cuneiform Records
2012

buy

Multitude, Solitude

Cuneiform Records
2010

buy

Multitude, Solitude

Cuneiform Records
2009

buy

Quality...

Actuator
2006

buy

Not Yet Available

Self Produced
0

buy

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