Sound the alarms, alert the cavalry, call in the fire brigade, the time has come!! It’s the release of our official music video for ‘Wanna Be Loved’, the hit single off the latest Breakfast Included album, Welcome To Today! Thank You to Reto, Nic, Kamila and all at Masters & Savant Cape Town for a styling video!
Proud to be South African - Letter from a fan
Hi Jason
I have just picked up your album Outline from my favourite Cd outlet. I stay in Johannesburg and am a very serious jazz listener and an amateur musician on percussions and mbira.
I must say this a superb album. Very refreshing! Whilst listening I could not even hear people around me talking to me. Very captivating. Once again one gets a rejuvenation of pride to be South African. Good work to you and the rest of your crew.
I do a jazz show once a month for Alex FM (89.1) based in Alexandra Township. Kindly send me your cell number so that when I feature your album I can get in touch with you for a live chat/interview. It will be quite a previlege for us.
All the best and keep it real.
ONE LOVE
Nelson Serobatse
Sunny side up: a life in jazz
Written by Theresa Smith for the Star Newspaper and the Cape Argus
Breakfast Included, Iridium Project, Magic Carpet Ride, The Restless Natives, The Mannenberg All Stars, Search Party and The Jason Reolon Trio. The last name is what they all have in common – pianist and composer Jason Reolon has been associated with all these bands over the years.
The one constant in his music career since 1999 has been Breakfast Included, which started off as a quartet with drummer Shaun Michau and the two guys who broke away to form Goldfish, Dominic Peters and David Poole.
Reolon and Michau still form the backbone of Breakfast Included, alongside bass player Wesley Rustin, saxophonist Buddy Wells and vocalist Nomfundo Xaluva, who alternates with Haydn Gardner.
They will launch their new EP, titled Welcome to Today, on Sunday at the Oude Libertas Theatre in Stellenbosch and will be joined by percussionist Tony Paco. “We hope to prove with this album that we have what it takes,” said band leader Reolon.
He has played so many genres of music over the years because he was keen to broaden his experience, but bands require time and commitment so he’s now shifted his focus to concentrate more on Breakfast Included and The Jason Reolon Trio, which will play at this year’s Cape Town Jazz Festival for the first time.
Where Breakfast Included is commercially accessible, almost radio-friendly jazz, the Jason Reolon Trio follows a more studied and traditional approach.
“Musically, you have only a certain amount of musical substance you can share,” says Reolon, “so you have to learn to prioritize.”
Breakfast Included played the festival when it was still known as the North Sea Jazz Festival and he played the piano for Vicky Sampson, but he’s not surprised that this is the first time the trio has been added to the line-up.
“You always want to be invited to the festival, it’s kind of like being chosen for the first team.
“But I never really had anything before and that’s the bottom line. You have to have original material, something of substance, and it really helps to have an album, because an album is your business card.
“Let’s face it, selling albums is not what it used to be. The whole idea of a physical album is going out of the window. In New York you don’t find any cd stores anymore.” (This he knows because he recently spent time in the Big Apple to master the Breakfast Included EP with US-based producers.)
Reolon started the trio back in 1999 with Wesley Rustin on bass and Heinreich Goosen on drums, but didn’t really put his heart and soul into the project until about 2005.
One concert at the Nassau Centre, Newlands, in 2007 was a particularly good experience, which led to their first album.
“We called it Off the Record, because we didn’t intentionally record that. It was such a beautiful concert. I remember walking off stage and saying to the guys: ‘I wish we could’ve recorded that because it was just effortless.’ “
Two days later, the co-ordinator of the concert told them he had done exactly that, so they had their gig mastered and then released it.
“For me, that’s what it takes – one nice album to hear yourself and go: ‘Hang on, this is something I want to take further.’ “
He composed material for what would become their second album, Outline, when The Restless Natives were at the height of their creativity.
“That band was another side of myself; it was a completely experimental band and we went through so many phases.”
Outline (2011) was part of an SAE institute recording project, where the students could learn about studio recording in a concert setting. While he preferred the idea of feeding off an audience, the attraction of a studio recording is the emphasis on getting it right the first time.
“if you have people in front of you, you can’t just stop and say: ‘Sorry guys, can we do that again.’ So in a way it was more of a natural environment to perform in.”
Several of the compositions are stories about spaces and places he has lived in.
“My approach was I’d moved away from The Restless Native thing and found myself in a reflective place. I’d say that album is a true representation of me as a South African living in Cape Town, coming from Joburg, having lived in the Karoo, lost my parents, that sort of vibe.”
Jason Reolon Trio to perform on Cape Town Jazz Festival 2012
The Jason Reolon Trio has been announced to perform as part of the line-up on the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2012.
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All About Jazz | Jason Reolon - Raising the Bar
Interview by Seton Hawkins
South Africa may well be in the midst of its third jazz renaissance. While the late 1950s saw the rise of legendary artists such as Kippie Moeketsi, Abdullah Ibrahim, and Philip Tabane, the early 1990s marked the emergence of trailblazers Moses Taiwa Molelekwa and Zim Ngqawana. The past five years have born witness to a surge of local jazz talent, as charismatic young musicians draw upon a wide range of inspirations and set a new precedent for instrumental prowess and melodic insight.
It is within this cast of artists that the Cape Town-based pianist and composer Jason Reolon has emerged as a leading exponent of the new music. Debuting on the scene in 1999 with the popular jazz ensemble Breakfast Included, Reolon has gone on to perform in vital Cape Town bands including Restless Natives, Search Party, and the Iridium Project, in addition to fronting his own ensemble. With Outline (Self Produced, 2011), Reolon has cemented his reputation as a remarkable pianist and improviser, and one of the most gifted composers in South Africa today…
Outline Review by Don Albert
by Don Albert
Outline by the Jason Reolon Trio proves we have an artist who would be appreciated anywhere in the world. It’s the height of sophisticated piano playing so popular these days. It eschews such styles as Bud Powell’s or Oscar Peterson’s; instead, it moves into the domain of Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett and, possibly, Fred Hersch. There might even be a trace of Abdullah Ibrahim in, for instance, “Mother City Blues”.
The nine originals are classy. The title track immediately captures the listener with powerful chords, before moving into inventive single-finger lines moving over a rolling rhythm section, and a little gem of a drum solo. “Remember the Time” and “Nieu Moon” have a classic romanticism, while “Pepper Tree” has a slight Cape Malay sound. Bassist Wesley Rustin and drummer Heinrich Goosen have empathy and play forcefully but subtly. They maintain the same high standard set by Reolon himself. SA can be really proud of this CD
Review by Zina Mae Titus
by Zina Mae Titus - Whats on in Cape Town
Cape Town was suffering from the winter blues on Wednesday and most people had already made the slow, rain-splashed trek from the city to the suburbs after a day at the office. But for a few young and old Jazz-lovers, the Jason Reolon Trio had something very special in store at the ultra-chic Freeworld Design Centre in Waterkant St on the Fan Walk. Even the brooding clouds held back as a warm, balmy night materialised for the crowd clad in serious hues – black, grey, brown – bustling around with champagne and wine in anticipation of the mini concert.
If there’s one word to describe this performance, it’s ‘clean’. From their suave suits and polished looks, to the cobweb-like black and white motion monographs splattered across the stage by Artist Marcii Goosen, everything was immaculately presented. Jason Reolon on the piano, Wesley Rustin (Double Bass), and Heinrich Goosen (Drums) are known to be great musicians individually, but together they create a sound that is not only soulful but is uncluttered by unnecessary ornamentation. And that’s exactly the type of Jazz I like - clean. No glitter, no theatrics, just music stripped down to its purest form. The trio steered well clear of the often frantic displays of virtuosity, providing a mature and emotionally textured performance – a finely woven tapestry that was never too hard on the ear or too soft to fade into background music. The middle of the week met its match in this performance that transported the crowd from the concrete jungle to a classy bar in the 1950s. And while the music was reminiscent of cool jazz (a la Miles Davis) it was not a mere photocopy. The repertoire was jewelled by pieces that were overtly South African-influenced but respectful of the classic American greats.
The two featured guests, Buddy Wells (Tenor Saxophone) and Tony Paco (Percussion) each deserve their own mention. Wells added an element of mystery with his delicate treatment of the tenor saxophone. Musicians love to show off their virtuosity, but it’s often more challenging to take a slow piece and create a nuanced and emotionally stimulating performance. Wells achieved this without fault, drawing the audience into deeply coloured and sentimental soaring solos. Tony Paco is highly entertaining to listen to – and to watch. The man is meant for the stage. He used not only hands but his elbows, his mouth and even his forehead to create sounds that were technically on point but often also comical, adding a dynamic that was a nice balance for the earnest sincerity of the other musicians.
Sitting snugly in the striped cushioned seats (definitely the most comfortable in a while) and sipping on a glass of cabernet, I started thinking how well red wine and jazz go together. But, just like good wine, jazz has to be finely crafted to be properly enjoyed. The album is well-made, unique, and definitely worth a listen. Take a sneak peek on www.jasonreolon.com and be sure to catch them in action next time.
Outline Review by Waldo Muller
by Waldo Muller - Die Burger
Although his latest album is fully in a jazz mode, Jason Reolon, lecturer in jazz piano at the University of Cape Town and member of the award-winning groups Breakfast Included and Restless Natives, is not a musician who is limited by genre or context.
Reolon (34) can boast music partnerships (from Vicky Sampson to Goldfish) as varied as the events he has performed at: from serious jazz concerts to World Cup soccer matches, fashion shows, horse races and comedy festivals.
He plays keyboards (including grand piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano and Wurlitzer and Hammond organs) in a variety of styles, from traditional jazz to funk, lounge and electronic dance music, even rock. However, judging by ‘Outline’ – the trio album of piano, bass and drums that Reolon recently launched in Cape Town – his first love is jazz.
With Wesley Rustin on double bass and Heinrich Goosen on drums, Reolon the jazz pianist has first-rate co-explorers of the musical routes his compositions map. ‘Outline’ is the trio’s second album. Its debut, ‘Off the record’, was released in 2007.
The nine tracks on ‘Outline’, all Reolon compositions, were recorded in October 2010 at the SAE Institute in Cape Town. The album was mixed and mastered at Sear Sound and Sterling Sound in New York. It was launched in June 2011 at the Freeworld Design Centre Auditorium in the Cape Waters Building, 71 Waterkant Street, Cape Town.
For the live performance at the launch of the album, Reolon’s trio sound was expanded with the addition of guest musicians Buddy Wells (sax), Tony Paco (percussion) and Ariella Reolon (cello). The result was riveting. Doubling the size of the group doubled the scope to appreciate the high quality of Reolon’s compositions and arrangements. The music was visually complimented by a backdrop of digital art in motion, created by Marcii Goose, designer of the striking CD cover.
The tracks on ‘Outline’ are often melodious with fragments of catchy tunes between more complicated jazz improvisations. The piano playing is lyrical rather than aggressive. The bass and drums are lively but the piano stays unhurried. This has a relaxing effect on the listener while simultaneously being musically interesting. Reolon and his fellow musicians show that accessible jazz does not have to be boring.
The title track is the opener and it is a winner on which the trio creates a sound that seems bigger than that of a three-piece band. It is unpredictable and slyly rolls along, lazy and passionate at the same time. The next few tracks are more tranquil, but calm with pep and oomph: an energetic calmness.
Reolon’s sound is often not identifiable as specifically South African, but has a more global character – with echoes of Cape Town and Africa and Cuba and New York and Europe. Nevertheless, shortly after halfway through the album, on ‘New Moon’, the music subtly yet unmistakably evokes something of the South African jazz canon.
On the seventh and eight tracks, ‘Glass Roots’ and ‘Mother City Blues’, the album breaths the South African jazz spirit further and more fully, more directly.
It is always remarkable when good musicians channel an indigenous jazz sound through the discipline and minimalism of only piano, bass and drums. Reolon and his two colleagues do the same with the Latin American approach to jazz on the album’s last track, ‘Heinsight’ – and thereby celebrate their musical freedom and versatility.
The Jason Reolon Trio - Outline Album Launch
Live in Concert
Jason Reolon (piano)
Wesley Rustin (double bass)
and Heinrich Goosen (drums)
Watch the Jason Reolon Trio Live in Concert as we celebrate the exclusive launch of the trio’s highly anticipated second album ‘Outline”. Soulful and stirring, these all-original compositions are Reolon’s latest groundbreaking contribution to the world of jazz. With a motion monograph by Marcii Goosen and renowned guest musicians including saxophonist Buddy Wells and percussionist Tony Paco, this is a once-in-a-lifetime performance not to be missed.
Wednesday 1st June, 2011
Freeworld Design Centre Auditorium
Freeworld Coatings,
The Cape Waters Building,
71 Waterkant Street
Cape Town
Doors open 7pm - Concert starts at 8pm
Tickets R100
Only 130 Seats available - Book at Computicket to avoid disappointment.
Outline Review - Die Burger
by Die Burger
Al is jazz volstoom die modus van sy nuwe album, is Jason Reolon, dosent in jazzklavier by die Universiteit van Kaapstad en lid van die bekroonde groepe Breakfast Included en Restless Natives, nie ’n musikant wat hom laat inperk deur genres of kontekste nie.
Die 34-jarige Reolon se musiekvennootskappe (van Vicky Sampson tot Goldfish) is so uiteenlopend as die geleenthede waarby hy al opgetree het: van ernstige jazz vertonings tot Wêreldbeker-sokkerwed stryde, perdewedrenne, modeparades en komediefeeste.
Hy speel klawerinstrumente (vleuel klavier, Fender Rhodes- elektriese klavier en Wurlitzer- en Hammond-orrel) in allerlei style, van tradisionele jazz tot funk, lounge en elektroniese dansmusiek, selfs rock. Maar te oordeel na Outline, die trio-album van klavier, bas en trom wat Reolon vandeesweek in Kaapstad bekend stel, is jazz sy eerste liefde.
Met Wesley Rustin op kontrabas en Heinrich Goosen op tromme het Reolon as jazzpianis eersterangse medeverkenners van die musikale roetes wat sy komposisies karteer. Outline is die trio se tweede album ná hul 2007-debuut, Off the Record.
Die nege snitte op Outline, almal Reolon-komposisies, is verlede jaar by die SAE-instituut in Kaapstad opgeneem. Die klankvermenging en eindproduksie is gedoen by Sear Sound en Sterling Sound in New York.
Die album word môreaand bekend gestel in die ouditorium van die Freeworld Design Centre in die Cape Waters-gebou, Waterkantstraat 71 (kaartjies is te koop by Computicket en by die deur). Reolon se trio gaan optree saam met ’n paar gaskunstenaars: Buddy Wells (saxofoon), Tony Paco (perkussie) en Ariella Reolon (tjello). Bewegende digitale kuns deur Marcii Goose, wat Outline?se treffende omslagkuns ontwerp het, sal die musiek visueel komplementeer.
Die snitte op Outline is dikwels melodieus, met fragmente van meer toeganklike wysies tussen komplekser jazz-improvisasies. Die klavierspel is liries eerder as aggressief. Die bas en tromme is opgewek, maar die klavier bly rustig. Die effek is strelend. Dit laat dat die luisteraar ontspan, maar terselfdertyd bly dit musikaal interessant. Reolon en sy medemusikante wys dat toeganklike jazz nie vervelig hoef te wees nie.
Die titelsnit is ook die openingsnit en dit is ’n wenner waarop die trio ’n klank skep wat groter as ’n driemanskap klink. Dis onvoorspelbaar en rol slu voort, terselfdetyd lui en passievol.
Reolon se klank is dikwels nie identifi seerbaar as spesifiek Suid-Afrikaans nie, maar het ’n meer globale karakter – met eggo’s van Kaapstad en Afrika en Kuba en New York en Europa.
Dit is altyd merkwaardig wanneer goeie musikante ’n inheemse jazzklank kanaliseer via die dissipline en minimalisme van slegs klavier, bas en trom. Reolon en sy genote doen dieselfde met die Latyns-Amerikaanse benadering van jazz op die album se laaste snit, “Heinsight” – en vier só hul musikale ongebondenheid en veelsydigheid.
