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All-star improvising ensemble Pitch, Rhythm and Consciousness expands to a sextet for a moving exploration of spirituality and community.

Charlie Burnham - violin

Tony Jones - tenor saxophone

Kenny Wollesen - drums and percussion

Marika Hughes - cello

Jessica Jones - tenor saxophone

Rashaan Carter - bass

The recording of this Pitch, Rhythm Consciousness Sextet was a happy reunion of old friends relishing the opportunity to make beautiful sounds together.  We gave ourselves the task of taking inspiration for this recording from wisdom tradition texts -  Buddhist, Taoist, Christian, Hindu, etc.  This includes using certain sutras and passages as lyrics to be sung. While there is still the freedom and joy associated with Pitch, Rhythm and Consciousness recordings, this particular release features a grounded, earthy element related to the texts which inspired the musicians. The singing is joyful and unencumbered, the playing is deep and masterful, and the writing and recording are inviting. 

Recorded by Katie Von Schleicher at Figure 8 Studio December 11, 2023 

Mixed and mastered by Liberty Ellman Co-produced by: Charlie Burnham and Jessica Jones

Album art by: Rachel Webber Album design by: Bridget DeLuca

Label: Reva Records

Pitch, Rhythm & Consciousness

Ensemble Bio

In all of its formations, Pitch, Rhythm, and Consciousness is a happy reunion of old friends relishing the opportunity to make beautiful sounds together. The ever-expanding ensemble was founded by tenor saxophonist Tony Jones and violinist Charlie Burnham, veteran musicians, composers and improvisers who are renowned for their work with many of the masters of creative music. Jones has collaborated with Peter Apfelbaum in musical groups since they were fourteen years old, including the seminal Berkeley Free Jazz Unit, a precursor to the New York Hieroglyphics Ensemble. In addition, Tony has worked with Joseph Jarman, Muhal Richard Abrams, Cecil Taylor, Idris Ackamoor, and Don Cherry. Burnham is a modern violinist who works most often as an improviser in blues-based music forms. He has forged essential collaborations with groundbreaking guitarist James Blood Ulmer, vocalist Cassandra Wilson and Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra. His own projects include Breath of Air, an electric trio including Brandon Ross and Warren Benbow, and the Charlie Burnham quartet.

Press Quotes

SEXTET

"This creation stands apart from conventional paths, offering an unparalleled richness in both musical and intellectual dimensions. It is an album to be experienced as one would admire a painting by Roland Cat, with wonder and awe.” – Thierry Clemensat, All About Jazz ★★★★1/2

 “This creation stands apart from conventional paths, offering an unparalleled richness in both musical and intellectual dimensions. Listening to the entire album evokes the sensation of experiencing a theatrical piece; one that leaves us with lingering questions. This profound artistic approach is as evident in the compositions as in the lyrics.” - Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move

“Nowhere has the band’s spiritual consciousness been more evident than on its stirring new album, Sextet. (...) The results are profound and spirited, exulting in spontaneous creation while delving deep into a wellspring of emotions and thought.” – Russell Trunk, Exclusive Magazine

"an album full of spiritual improvisations and wonderful dialogues. Soulful, unfussy music that takes all the time in the world to make its impact." – Christoph Giese, Virgin Jazz Face (Germany) 

“The music breaks with all familiar conventions and yet remains a coherent whole.  (...) An album that not only captivates and fascinates, but above all opens up a new perspective on the perception of music.” - Jacek Brun, jazz-fun.de

“In the end, we come away with the impression of having witnessed a sort of collective ritual of certain charm and certainly not lacking in moments of music with a capital M.” - Alberto Bazzurro, All About Jazz Italia

Previous Releases

 “[A] clinic in how fascinating, and listenable, and intelligent free jazz can be.” - Alan Young, Lucid Culture review of Trio

“A clearly wild ride, prepare yourself for an audio movie and all its cinematic thrills and spills.”
- Chris Spector, Midwest Record review of Quartet

“...with percussionist Kenny Wollesen’s gongs and temple bells establishing a mood of intense contemplation and violinist Charles Burnham matching Jones, keen for keen and infinitesimal microtone for infinitesimal microtone (whether bowing or plucking), everything on this vinyl-only release is quietly riveting, and worth retrieving your old turntable from the basement for.” - Francis Davis, Village Voice review of Trio

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  • Whether exploring the outer reaches or quiet inner spaces, the music of tenor saxophonist Tony Jones is marked by his unmistakable caressing tone and an insistent curiosity about the nature of sound. He embodies the spirit of improvisation.
    — Andy Gilbert

  • On this ruminative record — and, indeed, it is a record, released primarily on vinyl, with MP3 downloads available — saxophonist Tony Jones, violinist Charles Burnham and percussionist Kenny Wollesen show themselves wholly comfortable within the quiet sonic space about them. Jones is the lead voice — the lead traveler, as it were — working his way across a terrain that is at once wide open and timeless, and newly created by the musicians themselves ... the album simmers along sonic thought lines that ... pop with human intensity.
    — Matt Marshall, All About Jazz.com

  • It’s not about structure, timekeeping, loud squonking or chasing down scales at breakneck speed. Jones, Burnham and Wollesen prefer to instead to speak with each other civilly, spontaneously and communally. Jones plays his tenor with much discernment, walking the line between making every note count and not overthinking his playing. There’s much tradition and soulfulness in his mannerisms ... Pitch, Rhythm and Consciousness won’t hit anybody over the head with noise because it makes the noise mysterious and discreet. Tony Jones & Co. certainly aren’t the first to approach music that way, but the distinctive way they set out to do it makes Jones’ record commendable for its creativity.
    — S. Victor Aaron, Something Else Reviews.com

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