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1.
Speed 00:29
2.
Longview, TX 04:04
3.
Far 00:25
4.
5.
Heliotrope 05:01
6.
The Fanatics 04:35
7.
Snub 01:36
8.
Yr 06:58
9.
Dewey Square 06:10

about

"Fanatics" is the sophomore solo effort by Los Angeles drummer and composer Matt Mayhall. This time out, Mayhall leads a trio with two towering figures of modern improvised music: guitarist Jeff Parker (Tortoise, Brian Blade Fellowship) and tenor saxophonist/clarinetist Chris Speed (Human Feel, Endangered Blood, Claudia Quintet). Grammy-winning producer Paul Bryan (Aimee Mann, Meshell Ndegeocello) produced, engineered, and mixed the sessions.

Mayhall has placed himself squarely within a burgeoning improvisational music scene in Los Angeles that rivals that of any city’s in the world. In addition to playing in West Coast bands led by his cohorts Parker and Speed, he has worked alongside many jazz heavyweights including bassists Tim Lefebvre and Eric Revis, trumpeter Ralph Alessi, Kneebody keyboardist Adam Benjamin, and guitarist Anthony Wilson. But Mayhall is a player whose professional duties have taken him well outside the jazz world, touring with The Both - a power-pop trio with Aimee Mann and Ted Leo, with Mann in support of her Grammy-winning album "Mental Illness," and with folk singer Dar Williams. He also spent several years in Josh Haden’s alt-country/slow-core band Spain.

With "Fanatics," Mayhall continues his exploration of the same woozy atmospheric textures, lush harmonies, and skittering rhythms that earned him critical acclaim on his debut album, "Tropes" (Skirl Records, 2016). But while "Tropes" eschewed conventional jazz improvisation in favor of tight, cinematic statements, "Fanatics" is a decidedly more freewheeling, less backbeat-driven affair. Mayhall states:

“'Fanatics' is basically a blowing record. Jeff and Chris are such distinctive, great improvisers. Both of them have achieved what seems to me to be the ultimate goal of every jazz musician, which is to have an instantly recognizable sound. I wanted to honor that and have that be the focus of the record.”

credits

released February 7, 2020

Matt Mayhall - drums & percussion
Jeff Parker - guitar
Chris Speed - tenor saxophone and clarinet

recorded in May and Sept 2019 at Mayberry PCH
engineered, produced, and mixed by Paul Bryan
mastered by Dave Cooley at Elysian Masters

all songs (c)2019 Matt Mayhall Songs, BMI
except "Dewey Square" by Charlie Parker

album art by Jamie Breiwick @ B Side Graphics
www.bsidegraphics.com

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all rights reserved

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about

Matt Mayhall Portland, Oregon

Matt Mayhall is a drummer, composer, session musician, and educator in Los Angeles, CA and Portland, OR. He is active in jazz, improvised music, singer-songwriter, folk, indie rock, indie pop, American roots music and performance art.

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