Of course it is not all about Gerry Hemingway. But it is almost always what he does to the music that changes it forever. In this instance he drums into the heart of the melody, the harmony and the inner rhyhmn, and the he sing – everything – even Duke Ellington. Lifting it closer to that proverbial seventh step. It is, in this instance, the point of combustion with which the whole programme begins – the fiery explosion with which the music begins. It is not a blast that kicks off the music so much as the incendiary boom with which melody – yes there is really one – rolls into the harmonic gravy, and yes there really is a taste; all of which breaks as the wild rhythm takes over. It seems that all of Europe form Switzerland to the boot of the continent has risen up and is dancing.
The dance is not like anything may have seen before because somewhere along the way you feel the soft tapping and the smoky feeling of Duke Ellington invading the space between the soft hiss of the cymbal, the rumble of the drum. No, not that drum, but the bass drum. It begins with an almighty thump – struck with authority and then quietly The Reimagination #I Mood Indigo.
Mr Hemingway doesn’t imagine, he recreates. The song is Mr Ellington’s, and it is his to do whatever he pleases with it. That is why this song – indeed this music is all about Mr. Hemingway – Mr Hemingway alone. Immediately there is a exceptional realisation that one is left with a feeling of being in the presence of the very thing itself.
Mr Hemingway, sitting behind his range of drums seems to be so expertly schooled in music – not just its elements but how each element interacts with itself; how they all interact with other instruments and how the elements feature into the grand scheme of things. So, elegantly does he slip into music – the interminable continuum of music.
Gerry Hemingway is made of music, which is why he is in the audacious scheme of things as if he is the composer, the arranger, the improvisor. It may seem that Mr Hemingway is full of baroque grandiosity, but it is actually just a Mr Hemingway becomes the loving pianist, the musician in love with Angelina, the musician in love with music and the man from begin the drums… it’s all about music and how the music becomes Gerry Hemingway.
Gratis…!
Music Tour in Wurm, Basel, Switzerland
Performances – 1: Luzern, Villa Alf, [CH], 2: Lecco, Circolo Loibero Pensiero, [IT], 3: San Poli du Piave, Cantina Entoria Trllus [IT].
Musicans – Magda Mayas: clavinet; Christoph Erb: tenor and soprano saxophones; Gerry Hemingway: drums. voice and controlled feedback
Released: 2025
Label: Veta – Exchange 023
Runtime: 46:58
BassDrumBone: Afternoon
Music – 1 – Afternoon Begins; 2: Ain’t Nuttin But Butta; 3: Shone Eyes; 4: Afternoon Continues; 5. Brightness Continues; 6; Brighten Wabash; 7.Afternoon Ends.
Musicians- Mark Helias: contrabass: Gerry Hemingway: drums; Ray Anderson: Trombone.
Released: 2024
Label: Auricle Records AUR_24 Production;
Runtime: 49:24
Six hands Open to One Sky
Music- 1: The Unexpected – i: Dark into Night ii: Sanctuary iii: Corridors vi Spirit 2: Cloud Echoes; 3: Gnomon; 4: Underdrift
Musicians – Izumi Kimura: piano: Barry May: contrabass; Gerry Hemmingway: drums and voice.
Released: 2024
Label: Fast Records FSR DB 08/2024 wwwfastrecords.net;
Runtime: 47.06
Who Trio: Live At Jazz Festival – Willisau 2023 [First Visit]
Six hands Open to One Sky
Music- 1: The Reimagination #I Mood Indigo 2 Reimagination #The The Moochie 3: # Birmingham Breakdown #4 Self Portrait of Bean 5: Interlude 6. Wig Wise 7. Angelica 8. Fleurette Africaine 9. Reimagination # 7 # Black and Tan Fantasy
Musicians – Michel Wnitsch: piano: Bäntz Ostler: contrabass; Gerry Hemmingway: drums and voice.
Released: 2024
Label: ezz-thetics ezz-thetics102
www.hathut.com
Runtime: 56:29