LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ RKM Records) - Multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and educator
Robin Eubanks has been using electronics to augment the sonic palette of his trombone for more than 15 years. His latest project, EB3 was created for the expressed purpose of exploring modern technology in the context of his live performances, while also advancing the art of trombone in general. All three members of the EB3 collective share a love for jazz, funk, and rock, not to mention a musical fluency in odd meters. Additionally, the band follows one guiding principle whereby each member must fulfill roles ordinarily handled by two or more musicians.
Robin's new project- a DVD-CD combo entitled LIVE VOL. 1, released on Ravi Coltrane's RKM Records, features Eubanks' signature original compositions. Eubanks uses various effects and processors to alter the trombone sound, including effects that emulate electric guitar. He also uses percussion pads with programmed sounds and creates on- the-spot arrangements using looping techniques, thereby accompanying himself (sometimes several times over) on both trombone and percussion pads.
The DVD portion of LIVE VOL. 1 highlights the band's multi- dimensional skills on five tracks- "Me, Myself, and I," "Mojo Jojo," "Solo Latin," "Blues for Jimi Hendrix," and "X-Base." The DVD illustrates each musician's dexterity handling more than one musical role each. Each member of the band plays bass parts on keyboards at different times. Drummer Kenwood Dennard, whose history with Eubanks dates to the mid-1980s, is able to play a full drum set with his right hand and feet while at the same time playing bass lines on keyboard with his left hand. Fellow Philadelphia native Orrin Evans plays melodies, chords, applies textures and solos, while also filling in on bass parts in his left hand. This innovative and deceptively effortless approach delivers exciting and energetic group play often sounding like a much bigger ensemble.
Robin Eubanks is the premier jazz trombonist of his generation. An original and present member of multi-GRAMMY award-winning Dave Holland Quintet and Dave Holland Big Band, Eubanks has not only played trombone in both bands, but has contributed multiple compositions and arrangements for Holland's acclaimed groups. His musical influences range from James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Sly Stone and Led Zeppelin to Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane to Béla Bartók and Igor Stravinsky. He lacks musical boundaries.
"My compositions can change fluidly from swing to funk to Latin to 11/8 or 7/4 without sounding forced or awkward," explains Eubanks. "This allows me to draw upon all of my experiences. I have the freedom to create forms that unite diverse influences into new structures that are organic."
