The long anticipated CD from the inventive Irish/Australian pianist and composer, Greg Lloyd. This debut CD ‘Long Way Home’ draws on Greg’s musical experiences abroad from Algerian North African Chaabi, Cuba and Jazz.
Originally from Sydney, Greg’s curiousity and love for the jazz genre was initially sparked upon hearing Oscar Peterson play a B-flat Blues and led to his completion of a B.Mus. in Jazz Performance from the Sydney Conservatorium and the Australian National University in the late 1990s.
Greg decided to explore the world and has been based in Dublin for the last 11 years during which time he has collaborated with many musicians here. Recently Greg had the wonderful opportunity to spend a year in Algiers working with the Chaabi musicians, underground since the revolution. Greg arranged, orchestrated and rehearsed this music for the soon-to-be-released documentary film ‘El Gusto’, an Algerian ‘Buena Vista Social Club’. This period of filming culminated in a tour of Europe where Greg performed with the El Gusto Orchestra at the Barbican (UK) and the Berlin Jazz Festival. The following two years Greg lived in Paris where he was involved in a number of different musical projects.
Upon his return to Dublin in 2009 Greg embarked upon the process of recording his debut CD. Inevitably all the influences along his journey have blended together and thus emerges a stunning album with an instrumental style of writing that beautifully weaves together the genres of jazz and world music.
The urgent piano motives remain the heart of the group’s sound and this is strongly influenced by the musicians he is working with: drummer Kevin Brady (Ireland) and bassist Dave Redmond (Ireland) with percussionist Frailan Moran (Cuba).
Greg has studied with Joe Zawinul, Lee Konitz, John Patitucci, Mike Stern, Mark Murphy, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen and Mike Nock.
Today Greg spends his time between New York and Dublin.
This is unorthodox, original music, featuring intricate rhythms and vibrant playing from all the musicians involved.
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