Nick Fraser Releases New CD 'Is Life Long?' on Clean Feed Records

Acclaimed Toronto-based drummer and composer, Nick Fraser, leads this outstanding jazz quartet featuring New York saxophonist Tony Malaby, "one of the most distinctive artists of his time" (NYC Jazz Record). The quartet is rounded out by two exceptional string players, Andrew Downing and Rob Clutton. Their first two recordings, Towns and Villages (2013) and Starer (2016), received wide critical acclaim. Their third CD, Is Life Long? (2017) marks the group's debut on Lisbon-based Clean Feed Records.

The quartet's music is deeply rooted in the jazz tradition, and comprises a series of Fraser's compositional sketches, points of departure for the inspired group improvisation at which these players excel. Tony Malaby's sinewy, impassioned saxophone improvisations are practically without peer in contemporary jazz, and display a rhythmic imepetus that is complemented beautifully by Fraser's deft drumming. Clutton and Downing provide, by turns, a thick, shifting field of harmonic support and melodic invention. The work of this group is a high water mark in Canadian jazz and creative music.

Nick Fraser is a member The Lina Allemano Four, Eucalyptus, and Peripheral Vision. He has collaborated with many luminaries, including Anthony Braxton, William Parker, Roscoe Mitchell, Evan Parker, Marilyn Crispell, and David Binney. For ten years he led Drumheller, a quintet who released four critically acclaimed CDs. "Fraser not so much plays the drums as hurls himself whole body and soul against skin and metal... truly talented." -Bill Stunt, CBC Radio.

Tony Malaby was named "Musician of the Year" in 2004 by All About Jazz, and has been a member of groups led by Charlie Haden, Paul Motian, and Mark Helias.
"One of New York City's most in-demand tenor saxophonists, Malaby has become one of the most distinctive artists of his time." -Troy Collins, New York City Jazz Record

Andrew Downing (cello) is an instrumentalist and composer working in the jazz, folk, classical and creative improvising scenes in Toronto. He has played cello with banjo-ist Jayme Stone, the Nick Fraser Quartet, saxophonist Tara Davidson, singer-songwriter Sienna Dahlen and his own group Otterville.

Rob Clutton is a composer and bassist active in the creative improvised music scene in Toronto. His projects include his solo bass music and his group the Cluttertones, who have released three CDs as well as numerous concerts and jazz festival appearances.