Album Notes

Banjo Hockey is the second CD from the Tim Posgate Hornband featuring Howard Johnson. Since the group added this legendary New York tuba player and multi-instrumentalist (Taj Mahal, The Band, Miles Davis) they have surprised and delighted music fans at festivals across Canada, in the United States and Finland and Sweden.

Tim Posgate has made his reputation over the last fifteen years as a guitarist but his recent obsession with the five-string banjo has got folk festivals excited about his new music.

Howard Johnson toured the world in support of his Cds on Verve Records for his famous tuba ensemble Gravity. He brings a special energy to the Hornband’s live performances that you can hear on over four hundred recordings he has been on with artists including John Lennon, Gil Evans, Charles Mingus and the Band’s Last Waltz.

The unusual instrumentation of tuba, banjo, clarinet/saxophone and trumpet is part of what makes this group like no other. (you can also hear Posgate on guitar and Howard Johnson with his remarkable baritone saxophone playing) Instrumental music requires great writing and a high level of musicianship and this band offers up both.

Saxophonist Quinsin Nachoff and trumpeter Lina Allemano are two of Canada’s top musicians and have won numerous individual awards. Both artists keep very busy touring and recording schedules as leaders as well as working with other artists including Jane Bunnett, Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Dave Douglas among others.

The Banjo Hockey CD is a mélange of numerous influences that Posgate gets from his musical thirst and curiosity as an artist. This original music will interest those who follow the careers of other genre bending musicians such as Bill Frisell, Frank Zappa or Bela Fleck.