Album Notes

The Phil Hey Quartet's new CD "Subduction: Live at the Artists' Quarter" was recorded live in May 2005 at the AQ, and features hard-bop jazz instrumentals from a wealth of sources including Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman, Irving Berlin and Phil Hey's original "Subduction." No all-star excursion, the PHQ is a true, seasoned ensemble that has been exploring a common musical vision for the past five years. The quartet consists of Phil Hey (drums), Phil Aaron (piano), Dave Hagedorn (vibes) and Tom Lewis (bass). With appearances on over 60 recordings and countless live performances with the top names in jazz, Phil Hey is no stranger to Twin Cities music fans. "Subduction: Live at the Artists' Quarter" marks the first release for Phil Hey as band leader.

Phil Hey is a "first call" drummer known for his hard swinging rhythms, tasteful and expressive accents and metronomic sense of time. Raised in Philadelphia, which has produced such great drummers as "Philly" Joe Jones and Eric Kamau Gravatt, Hey moved to the Twin Cities with his family in the late 1960s. Hey was a long time student of jazz-drumming legend Ed Blackwell. In addition to working with virtually every active Twin Cities jazz musician, Hey has hit the road with internationally known artists like Benny Golson, Dewey Redman, Jay McShann and Stacey Kent. His many recordings as sideman include "Von Freeman Live at the Dakota" and the Pete Whitman X-Tet's "Where's When?", both of which received the "four star" treatment from Downbeat magazine.

The Phil Hey Quartet was originally assembled around the year 2000 when Artists' Quarter owner (and fellow drummer) Kenny Horst suggested to Hey that the four jazz veterans perform a "one off" gig. Needing to print the AQ's monthly calendar, Horst listed the band as the Phil Hey Quartet. Finding that they shared a chemistry and love for the hard bop material, the PHQ dug in with monthly AQ gigs and regular rehearsals to hone their unique sound. Performing a songbook usually driven by a horn player, the PHQ features piano (Aaron) and vibes (Hagedorn) on the lead lines with the equally expressive rhythm section of Tom Lewis (bass) and Phil Hey (drums). Whether by virtue of the band's "assigned" name or otherwise, Hey took on the role of leader. Phil is quick to point out, however, that "this is a real band. Everyone in the group is a band leader in his own right and we have really come together as an ensemble."

On "Subduction: Live at the Artists' Quarter," the Phil Hey Quartet demonstrates a collective improvisational spirit and intense devotion to the music that proves it is, indeed, "a real band." A real experienced, talented and inspired band.