Guitarist Kieran Gunter And Pianist Chris Bland Present An Enchanting Set Of Original Music, Bursting With Inspiration And Unique Flair
Gaudí is the forthcoming album from multi-faceted musicians and composers Kieran Gunter
and Chris Band. Assembling a collective of likeminded artists who form the band Glebe
(named after the road where the two young musicians once lived together), Gunter and Bland
present a captivating selection of original songs, partly inspired by the great guitar/piano led
ensembles such as The Pat Metheny Group and The Impossible Gentlemen.
Kieran Gunter and Chris Bland have recently been establishing themselves as important
players on the London jazz scene. Since graduating from the prestigious Leeds College Of
Music, (with Bland subsequently attending Guildhall), the duo have achieved a plethora of
individual accolades, including Kieran winning the Outstanding Individual Soloist award at the
Great North Jazz Festival and Chris being awarded a scholarship by the Global Music
Foundation, leading to study with the likes of Bruce Barth and Rene Marie. Having both been
involved with The National Youth Jazz Orchestra, the duo have gone on to flourish in a wide
range of high profile jazz projects, as well as broadening their horizons in to Latin, musical
theatre and other realms.
The album Gaudí charts an engaging course: tunes like ‘Kirkstall Abbey’ and ‘You Can’t Write
Tears’ provide reference to the great electric jazz fusion bands, where other tracks sail closer
to the music of more recent contemporaries such as Nubiya Garcia and Ezra Collective.
Influence from jazz luminaries such as Shai Maestro, Maria Schneider and Kenny Wheeler can
also be heard, while songs such as ‘Il Ragno Della Tomba’ provide a sultry groove originating
from the music of Brazil. Overall, the work is characterised by emotive melodies and evocative
soundscapes, masterfully balancing intricate arrangements with spontaneous improvisation.
Gaudí is further enhanced by vocalist, harpist, and lyricist Tara Minton (Björk, Toni Kofi)
lending her voice to the tracks “Haflinger” and “Ruby,” while Clare Wheeler (Chaka Khan,
Jacob Collier) and Francesca Confortini (Cat Stevens, Katie Melua, Francesco Mendolia) also
provide thrilling vocals. Additionally, the album features the virtuosic saxophone and flute
artistry of Tom Smith (Donny McCaslin, Ian Shaw, Gareth Lockrane) on ‘L’Iseran.’ Starting
the new year off with a bang, Kieran Gunter and Chris Bland’s album is set to become an
exceptional addition to UK jazz’s ever-evolving culture.
Album launch:
Live Album Launch @ Crazy Coq’s, 16th January 2025
