Olivier Clements Presents Dissonant Histories
Plaid shirts and skinny jeans isn’t necessarily what you picture a jazz musician wearing — and Olivier Clements isn’t your typical jazz musician.
While he has a degree with honours from the prestigious Humber College, Clements is most widely known for his work with some of Canada’s top indie artists. Currently, his main project is playing indie-folk with Aidan Knight and the Friendly Friends. He’s toured/performed/recorded with the likes of Dan Mangan, Northcote, Towers and Trees, The O’darling and Miss Emily Brown.
“Spending so much time with Aidan Knight has given me more appreciation for the band and not the soloist,” says Clements.
“I’m tired of bullshit jazz —everyone plays a solo, pat themselves on the back and it’s done. I want to create a sound instead of a bunch of soloists.”
Clements wrote and arranged all the music the eight-piece Dissonant Histories will be performing. His influences range from contemporary jazz to indie-folk, J Dilla and ?uestlove style hip hop, and Patrick Watson style indie-rock.
“The best way to describe it is indie-jazz,” says Clements. “The idea is that jazz has this lineage and narrative and hip hop has a lineage and narrative and they fundamentally clash. I’m trying to find that middle ground.”
And with the roster of musicians joining him, that sound should be something to behold.
Dissonant Histories features pianist Brent Jarvis, drummer Hans Verhoeven, Aidan Knight bassist Colin Nealis, trumpet player and VCM faculty member Bruce Hurn, UVic trombone instructor Scott MacInnes, accomplished trombonist Mark Wilson and his own father Gordon on the bass clarinet.
“It’s so cool having him in the band and being able to utilize someone that has so much technique,” he says.
“I didn’t want to mess around. These are all musicians that I really admire.” M
Slim Sandy
Slim Sandy and His Hillbilly Bebop Band is sure to get your toes a tappin’ Saturday night with a CD release dance party for its latest album Yes Baby Yes.
The lastest compilation features harmonies, harmonica and six tracks, all covers that will have you boogieing the night away.
Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm at Martin Batchelor Gallery (712 Cormorant). M
The Fretless
Victoria’s Ivonne Hernandez is home from Boston and is bringing her band The Fretless to the Fairfield United Church (1303 Fairfield), Fri., April 5 at 8pm. Tickets are $15/10 or $30 for a family. Call 250-478-1676 to reserve.
The Fretless brings high-energy arrangements of fiddle tunes and folk arrangements that are sure to tug at your heart “strings.” M
