Maria Faust Group

Music:

Member Since: 11/2/2006
Band Website: Barefoot-Records.com
Band Members: Maria Faust, alto saxophone Thomas Caudery, trumpet Lars Greve, tenor and soprano saxophone Tormod Holm, baritone and soprano saxophone Ask Nørholm, guitar Morten Pedersen, piano Adam Pultz Melbye, double bass Håkon Berre, drums..
Influences: Gil Evans, Oliver Nelson, Charles Mingus, Maria Schneider, Shostakovitch, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Faure, Reich, Pärt, Frank Zappa, Radiohead, Muse, Björk, Tim Berne, Django Bates, Ornette Coleman, Jim Black, Richard Bona, Jeff Buckley, Charlie Parker, Carla Bley, Nick Drake, Atomic, Lotte Anker
Sounds Like: Press Reviews.“Maria Faust is one of the most promising young musicians hailing from Estonia. She is a composer and arranger of formidable talent.” “On one hand, Faust..s music refers to the American progressive big band jazz traditions, as exemplified by Gil Evans, Charles Mingus, Carla Bley, even Frank Zappa..s jazzier output. But on the other hand, the blend of angular brass harmonies, counterpoints, complex rhythms, free improvisation, rock elements and classicism draws parallels to the British avant-garde jazz scene such as Graham Collier, Keith Tippett and Chris McGregor.” Erki Hõbe “Postimees”“Maria Faust..s debut album “Bitchslap Boogie” sounds very mature and consistent. She is a good saxophone player but not only that. Faust is also an interesting composer who knows how to utilize tension and release as well as a very good arranger who knows how to make a band sound fresh.” Joosep Sang “Muusika”“Maria Faust is certainly one the most promising young estonian musicians- she has potential and plenty of energy. She is both a strong band leader as well musician. The album is full of humor, the music is variated and filled with contrasts and at the same time very dynamical. I have to say big compliments to Faust for her compositions and musical ideas.” “The funny thing is that she does not remind me of any of the other composers; her own favorites like Schostakovich, Mingus, Pärt, Reich, Radiohead etc. She has been influenced by almost all the musical styles, yet her language is totally fresh and unique.” “The debut album “Bitchslap Boogie” from a young musician is simply so good that our expectations for the next one are very high.” Immo Mihkelson “Klassikaraadio”, „ Jazzkaar“My God, what a comet journey in both the outer and inner aspects. At the age of 28 Faust here debuts as a fully mature bandleader, composer and alto saxophone player, leading an octet with talented Danish young guys. Faust has integrated a multitude of musical impulses in her music, from reminiscenses of young rock music, modern European compositional music, Eastern European folk song and not the least the free jazz as she learnt to know it in Denmark. She is capable of writing captivating music with clear structures and complex arrangements for the four horns – sonorous, poetical and dynamic so that the late Charles Mingus is brought to mind, albeit in a contemporary idiom. Not unlike when Swedish Torbjörn Zetterberg “depicts the woman’s struggle”. “Bitchslap Boogie” she calls it, but without us getting scared at the wife slaps, but on the contrary drawn towards the nuances of timbre, the melody and the imagination. And along the way refreshing solo playing is delivered, especially from Thormod Melas Holm’s baritone saxophone and Morten Pedersen’s piano. And Maria Faust herself steps forward as a saxophone player in evolution, so far with a agile and big tone and a good freedom of balance in her figure playing. But it is as a composer and arranger she on this cd surprises and impress. Faust has been resurrected in the shape of a young woman and this time the trade has been in the service of music and joy of life. Bjarne Søltoft ”Jazznyt”"Colourful and vivid female perspective"Surprisingly Faust didn't thrive towards anything classy, ardent or beautiful, but pressure was unloaded by harsh force. For example the woeful minor of Kraft grew into a fantastic Mingus-rumble and a free-orgasm. The octet's performance was energetic, appealing, even humorous. Faust's music is in all kinds witty and intrestingly progressive. “Helsinkin Sanomat”, review of a live performance.“Maria Faust has a truly hellish temperament, elegant and delicate at times but aggressive at the right time, able to emit round sounds and to degenerate at any moment in rabid growl.” “The resulting music is great avant jazz with rock contamination, played with great emphasis, because of the disruptive action of the 4 winds, dominated by the great temperament of Mary Faust, who skilfully succeeds in weighing grace and aggression. The mood of the music is sometimes solemn and dark, almost gloomy, but suddenly manages to melt transforming itself into something seductive, warm, and even capricious. In every musical activity, even in the most troubled, is perceived a constant background elegance.” Jessica Atlene “Arlequin”
Record Label: Barefoot Records
Type of Label: Indie