Jeff Ballard - Fairgrounds (2019)

Honest, inventive and adventurous, Fairgrounds is the embodiment of Jeff Ballard’s ceaseless desire and energy to move people emotionally, physically and intellectually. His second album as a leader, sees the US drummer set on a new trajectory of increased recorded output, focus as a bandleader with a new home at British label, Edition Records.

“The only direction or concept I imposed on the players in this group was to feel an absolute freedom to play (or not) whatever they want at any given time. Totally freedom was the only restriction. Structures came from content, or sometimes the structure was already there if we happen to play a specific song but it would be a very new version each time. The music and how we played it came from the moment we all shared then and there, always.” (Jeff Ballard)

About Fairgrounds: Jeff Ballard ranks among the most inventive and adventurous drummers of his generation. He makes music that feels like the 21st century – open, fluid, ever-developing; a sound informed by jazz but truly coming to life where musical worlds collide: acoustic and electric, swinging and ambient, analogue and digital, accessible and experimental. The virtuoso drummer, who made his name playing with Ray Charles, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny and Brad Mehldau, is not inhibited by convention. His music is honest, original and adventurous with a ceaseless desire and energy to move people emotionally, physically and intellectually. Jeff’s latest project and album ‘Fairgrounds’, released on Edition Records, provides a freedom to explore and to express himself with musicians who are close to his heart and mind. The result is highly captivating and bursting with energy. With a rich and flexible musical language, embracing influences as diverse as Jazz, Rock, Pop, Electronica and West African music, ‘Fairgrounds’ is a unique insight into the distinctive sound world of Jeff Ballard.

Jeff Ballard, drums, percussion
Lionel Loueke, guitar, vocals
Kevin Hays, piano, keyboards, vocals
Reid Anderson, electronics
Pete Rende, piano, Fender Rhodes
Mark Turner, tenor saxophone (track 6, 8)
Chris Cheek, tenor saxophone (track 5, 11)

TRACKLIST

1. Jeff Ballard;Lionel Loueke;Kevin Hays;Reid Anderson - Grounds Entrance
2. Jeff Ballard;Lionel Loueke;Kevin Hays;Reid Anderson - YEAH PETE!
3. Jeff Ballard;Lionel Loueke;Kevin Hays;Reid Anderson - The Man's Gone
4. Jeff Ballard;Lionel Loueke;Kevin Hays;Reid Anderson - I Saw A Movie
5. Jeff Ballard;Lionel Loueke;Kevin Hays;Reid Anderson - Hit the Dirt
6. Jeff Ballard;Lionel Loueke;Kevin Hays;Reid Anderson - Twelv8
7. Jeff Ballard;Lionel Loueke;Kevin Hays;Reid Anderson - Marche Exotique
8. Jeff Ballard;Lionel Loueke;Kevin Hays;Reid Anderson - Grungy Brew
9. Jeff Ballard;Lionel Loueke;Kevin Hays;Reid Anderson - Miro
10. Jeff Ballard;Lionel Loueke;Kevin Hays;Reid Anderson - Soft Rock
11. Jeff Ballard;Lionel Loueke;Kevin Hays;Reid Anderson - Cherokee Rose