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The Synapse Brothers
The Synapse Brothers is a new improvisatory band that merges elements of electroacoustic music with jazz and funk. The band features, in live performance settings, Bob Gluck (keyboards and electronics) and John Myers (guitars and MIDI-guitar), and behind the scenes in pre- and post- production, electronic music pioneer Patrick Gleeson, whose beats and sound design embellish and grace the live playing. The repertoire of the Synapse Brothers explores original work and music of Herbie Hancock's early 1970s Mwandishi Band, of which Gleeson was a member. The results so far have been engaging and, at times, just plain fun.
Bob Gluck is a multi-faceted pianist, composer, and historical writer. His repertoire spans jazz, live electronic music, and avant-garde concert. Erik Lawrence (Chronogram) has referred to Gluck as "an accomplished and passionate pianist in the most elusive tradition of avant-garde masters Cecil Taylor, Andrew Hill, McCoy Tyner, and Don Pullen. He's captured the magic of being at once sentimental and Space Pong crazy." Jay Collins (Cadence magazine) adds: Gluck is "a brilliant improviser," whose latest CD 'Sideways' (2008) with the Bob Gluck Trio offers "arguably the most touching and memorable take on ["A Remark You Made"] since its initial version on Heavy Weather" Bob Gluck's performances and exhibitions have been presented internationally. His acoustic jazz trio features bassist Michael Bisio and drummer Dean Sharp. Previous CDs include the EMF releases 'Stories Heard and Retold' (1998), 'Electric Songs' (2003), and 'Electric Brew' (2007), recognized as Keyboard magazine's "Unsigned Artist of the Month" for June 2009.
Guitarist/composer John Myers performs as a jazz and classical guitarist in a great variety of settings. He studied jazz composition with Hank Levy and Hindustani classical music with Sushil Mukherjee. His pieces appear on numerous CDs and multimedia productions. His guitar work is featured on the CD "Look In" (Jungsoul, 2004). Performance credits include work with pipaist/vocalist Min Xiao-fen, tenor saxophonist Benny Russell, flutist Hiroaki Honshuku, vocalist Ruth Young, and many others. He is a member of the Straight Ahead Jazz Trio with flugelhornist Karl Easton and bassist Pete Toigo. John directs the jazz program for Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington MA.
Patrick Gleeson is a pioneer of electronic instruments in jazz, beginning with the 1972 Herbie Hancock album 'Crossings' and in his subsequent performances with the Hancock's Mwandishi band. He subsequently served as master synthesist and arranger of the ground breaking all synthesizer score for Francis Coppola's film 'Apocalypse Now' and has worked as a studio musician on approximately 150 jazz, R & B, and rock records Gleeson has released six solo albums and composed scores for many feature films, television specials, and nine television series, as well as compositions for The Kronos Quartet.
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