The Squid's Ear Magazine


Gray, Devin / Ralph Alessi / Angelica Sanchez: Melt all the Guns (Rataplan Records)

Recorded in the fall of 2019 as a statement to help expand awareness and work for a future free from gun violence, composed in response to several gun violence incidents, performed at Douglass Recording in Brooklyn with the trio of Ralph Alessi on trumpet, Angelica Sanchez on piano, and Devin Gray on drums and providing the compositions, each title expressing his concern.
 

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product information:

Personnel:



Ralph Alessi-trumpet

Angelica Sanchez-piano

Devin Gray-drums, composer


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Label: Rataplan Records
Catalog ID: RR008
Squidco Product Code: 30549

Format: CDR
Condition: New
Released: 2021
Country: USA
Packaging: Cardstock Gatefold sleeve in a clear plastic sleeve
Recorded at Douglass Recording, in Brooklyn, New York, on October 20th, 2019, by Juanma Trujillo.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"The music on this recording was composed during the fall of 2019 after several gun violence incidents took place. The increase of gun violence over the years and particularly in the United States has upset me so much that I need to speak out. Simply put, we need to expand awareness and work for a future free from gun violence. Today, June 4th is the 7th National Gun Violence Awareness Day. In the link below there are local events and resources including the Wear Orange Campaign that I recommend your involvement.

This trio recording features the incredible Ralph Alessi and Angelica Sanchez, which was luckily captured after we played some concerts in Canada and the States, and uniquely explores expressions of my feelings around those infuriating times albeit pre-pandemic. I hope you can support not only the impact of the song titles, but also all artists you know and love during these challenging times."-Devin Gray


Artist Biographies

"Trumpeter/Composer Ralph Alessi was born in San Francisco,CA, the son of classical trumpeter Joe Alessi and opera singer Maria Leone. After taking degrees in jazz trumpet and bass-he studied under the legendary Charlie Haden at CalArts-he lit out for New York, where he swiftly became an ubiquitous presence on the downtown scene. He's been a frequent collaborator with such notable musicians as Steve Coleman, Jason Moran, Don Byron, Ravi Coltrane, Fred Hersch, Uri Caine and Marc Copland. Alessi has recorded nine albums of original compositions which draw on everything from post-bop to neo classical music. He currently records for the ECM record label including his 2016 release Quiver. In 2018, he will release a new This Against That record on the label. As an educator, Ralph is an Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at University of Nevada-Reno as well as the director of the School for Improvisational Music."

-Ralph Alessi Website (http://www.ralphalessi.com/html/about.php)
1/27/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Pianist/Composer/Educator Angelica Sanchez moved to New York from Arizona in 1994. Since moving to the East Coast Sanchez has played with such players as: Wadada Leo Smith, Paul Motian, Richard Davis, Chad Taylor, Chris Lightcap, Rob Mazurek, Vincent Chancey, Susie Ibarra, Tim Berne, Mario Pavone, Mark Dresser, Ben Monder and many more. Sanchez leads many groups including her own quintet featuring Marc Ducret, Tony Malaby, Drew Gress, and Tom Rainey. Her music has been recognized in international publications like, " Jazz Times Magazine", The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and many more. She was also the 2008 recipient of the French/American Chamber Music America grant and the 2011 Rockefellers Brothers Pocantico artist residency. Her CD "Life Between" was chosen as one of years best recording 2009 in "The New York City Jazz Record (formerly AllAboutJazz-New York)." Her debut solo CD "A Little House" was featured on NPR's Weekend Edition in May 2011. Her latest CD "Wires & Moss" featuring her Quintet was chosen as one of best Releases of 2012 in "The New York City Jazz Record (formerly AllAboutJazz-New York)." Her Duo CD "Twine Forest" with Wadada Leo Smith received Honorable Mention as a best release in 2013 in "The New York City Jazz Record." Angelica has a Master's in Arranging from William Paterson University."

-Angelica Sanchez Website (http://www.angelicasanchez.com/biopress.html)
1/27/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"An artist interested in multiple musical directions and one who strives for quality and sincerity in his work. His exciting energy has compelled him towards many different musical directions and projects. Considered by his contemporaries as cutting edge, Gray shows promise as an artist that will not only move the music forward, but one who will share his unique musical vision with the world of music.

Devin Gray's fresh approach to modern drumming has enabled him to play with many of America's great jazz musicians. He has performed and recorded with innovative musicians of contrasting styles and backgrounds such as: David Liebman, Tony Malaby, Gary Thomas, Ingrid Jensen, Dave Burrell, Dave Ballou, Michael Formanek, Nate Wooley, Stephan Crump, George Garzone, Chris Speed, Drew Gress, Sam Rivers, Ralph Alessi, John O'Gallagher, Ellery Eskelin, Kris Davis, Ted Rosenthal, Matt Mitchell, Uri Caine, Andrew D'Angelo, Vardan Ovsepian, Bill McHenry as well as many others.

Devin has been fortunate to perform in many places around the globe and continues to make peace with his audiences. He is a top call young drummer in many modern jazz circles in New York City as well as multiple cities on the East Coast of America. Current leader projects include two quartets: "Dirigo Rataplan" featuring Ellery Eskelin, Dave Ballou, and Michael Formanek, and "RelativE ResonancE" featuring Chris Speed, Kris Davis, and Chris Tordini. He is currently living, playing, and composing in Brooklyn, New York."

-http://devingraymusic.com/about (Devin Gray Website)
1/27/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Think About It 03:26

2. Jet Lag Party 03:35

3. Micro Waves 04:30

4. Melt All the Guns 04:31

5. Protect Our Environment 03:25

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
Jazz
Free Improvisation
NY Downtown & Metropolitan Jazz/Improv
Trio Recordings
Jazz & Improvisation Based on Compositions

Search for other titles on the label:
Rataplan Records.


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