NEW YORK, NY (Rykodisc) - "Sonic mastermind" Jay
Bennett will take to the road in support of his new
September 26th Rykodisc release, "The Magnificent Defeat," starting Wednesday, October 18th at Fitzgerald's in Chicago, IL. The tour will also visit Champaign, Iowa City, St. Louis, Nashville, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston, with a second leg tour to happen in December 2006. The Iowa City-based indie/folk/pop confection Death Ships will join him throughout the tour.
Bennett's long awaited solo opus "The Magnificent Defeat" represents the finest of a massive creative outpouring. Following his production work on Blues Traveler's 2005 release "Bastardos!," Bennett's songwriting floodgates were unhinged and the subsequent result was the writing and recording of some seventy songs, thirteen of which are showcased on this release. The album was produced by Bennett and David Vandervelde and largely recorded at Private Studios in Urbana, IL. Highlights from the album include "5th Grade," "Replace You," "Wide Open," "Survey The Damage" and "Good As Gold." The album is set for release on Rykodisc September 26th, 2006.
Jay Bennett was a significant force behind the evolving sound, increasingly mature songwriting, and critical success of the twice Grammy-nominated Wilco. Bennett made his studio debut with Wilco on 1996's "Being There," and stayed through the final sessions of "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot." Bennett also contributed heavily to "Mermaid Avenue, Volume I" and "Volume II" - a joint project with British songwriter Billy Bragg - which brought previously unreleased Woody Guthrie lyrics to light and to life. Since leaving Wilco, Jay teamed up with his long-time friend and musical collaborator, Edward Burch, to release 2002's critically acclaimed "The Palace at 4 a.m. (Part 1)."
In addition to his well-regarded Wilco and solo work, Jay is also a highly skilled and respected producer and sought-after session musician. He has made musical contributions to a long list of artists that includes Sheryl Crow, Jellyfish, Tommy Keene, Allison Moorer, Adam Schmitt and Billy Joe Shaver.
Tour dates for Jay Bennett are as follows:
October 18 Fitzgerald's Chicago, IL
October 19 Cowboy Monkey Champaign, IL
October 20 The Picador Iowa City, IA
October 21 Off Broadway St. Louis, MO
October 22 3rd & Lindsley Nashville, TN
October 23 Uncle Pleasant's Louisville, KY
October 24 Club Café Pittsburgh, PA
October 27 Iota Arlington, VA
October 28 Manhattan Room Philadelphia, PA
October 30 Union Hall Brooklyn, NY
October 31 Joe's Pub New York, NY
November 1 Middle East Boston, MA
