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Bad Luck

Over half a decade after their first performance, drummer Chris Icasiano and saxophonist Neil Welch continue to develop a unique musical voice together. Bad Luck has become a sonic outlet to be reckoned with. In the highly trodden medium of drums and saxophone, Bad Luck proves that there is much left to be said.

Called “One of the best Seattle jazz recordings in years” (Earshot Jazz) Bad Luck was awarded the “Best Outside Jazz Group” of 2009 by Earshot Magazine, and a finalist for “Best Avant Group” in the 2009 Inside Out awards. Performing all original compositions, the pair use live loops and pedals to create an astounding range of sound. Icasiano and Welch can quickly shift into fierce improvisations, sound art and carefully constructed harmonic palettes. A duo with skin tight precision and melodic inventiveness, their music is set off by a commanding stage presence.

Awards

Golden Ear Award for best "Alternative Jazz Group" 2009 - Earshot Jazz


Tags

3
Album Review

Bad Luck: Four

Read "Four" reviewed by Ian Gwin


For over a decade, Seattle-based duo Bad Luck—that's Neil Welch (saxophones, electronics) and Chris Icasiano (drums)—have packed and unpacked their deceptively simple formula of drums and saxophone. Through their deep musical partnership, they continue to recast the mold of contemporary music. Over countless fiery performances and three full-length releases, the depth of the duo's compositional improvisations has steadily developed, starting from the catch-as-catch-can edge of their classically free-jazz 2009 self-titled debut, moving the sprawling, heavy-metal intensity of 2011's double-album Two, ...

42
Album Review

Bad Luck: Bloodroot

Read "Bloodroot" reviewed by Dave Wayne


Available as a download only, Bad Luck's Bloodroot is a fine example of the extremely powerful and virtuosic, cutting-edge music coming out of Seattle these days. Sure, drummer Chris Icasiano and saxophonist Neil Welch make an unholy racket for much of the track's generous twenty-plus minutes duration, yet a determined sense of focus is quite palpable: this is freely improvised music with a strong sense of direction.Welch possesses a raw, cavernous, unforgiving tenor sound that brings both Peter ...

118
Album Review

Bad Luck: Two

Read "Two" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


When Bad Luck comes in the shape of drummer Christopher Icasiano and saxophonist Neil Welch, it can be a pretty good thing. They met at the University of Washington and, driven by an interest in improvised music, began a musical partnership. Both are fearless navigators of the unknown and communicate with an intuitive sense of empathy. Their music takes them across a wide panorama, over which they forge acoustic unions or use electronics to expand the dimension,all aspects given free ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: John Pizzarelli, Esfoma, the Cunninghams, a Tribute to Charles Mingus, Bad Luck, and More

Jazz This Week: John Pizzarelli, Esfoma, the Cunninghams, a Tribute to Charles Mingus, Bad Luck, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Autumn is definitely in the air in St. Louis, and it's looking like a fine weekend to get out and hear some live jazz and creative music. Here's a look at some of the most noteworthy performances coming up over the next few days... Tonight, singer and guitarist John Pizzarelli opens a four-night engagement continuing through Saturday at Jazz at the Bistro. The longtime St. Louis favorite has a new band for this visit, still featuring his brother Martin on ...

"The best Seattle jazz recording in years." - Peter Monaghan, Earshot Jazz

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Four

Origin Records
2018

buy

Bloodroot

Table and Chairs Music
2012

buy

Two

Table and Chairs Music
2011

buy

Bad Luck

Table And Chairs
2009

buy

R.B.G.

From: Four
By Bad Luck

Josephine

From: Two
By Bad Luck

Videos

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