INTRODUCING “MOTIF”
MOTIF. Doug Wicken (flute) and Tyler Wagler (double bass) recording at The Jazz Room, Waterloo, Ontario. May 15 and 16, 2023. Photo by Scott Wicken
MOTIF. Tyler Wagler (double bass) and Doug Wicken (flute) discuss concepts at The Jazz Room, Waterloo, Ontario. May 15 and 16, 2023. Photo by Scott Wicken
MOTIF, a Free-Form duo featuring Doug Wicken (flute) & Tyler Wagler (double bass).
MOTIF
a Free-Form duo featuring
DOUG WICKEN (flute) & TYLER WAGLER (double bass)
RECORDING NOTES:
Two of the compositions, FIRST LIGHT and LABYRINTH, were co-composed by Doug Wicken and Tyler Wagler. Both tunes are totally improvised with no prior discussion between the players, except that we agreed to be sensitive to each other's playing and to honour the integrity of the emotions as they evolved. Harmonic and Rhythmic structures are purely intuitive and occasionally accidental. Improvisations are intended to be simultaneous; rarely does the traditional concept of 'soloist' arise.
WISE ONE was composed by John Coltrane. I have often performed this tune at gigs. It has become the muse that encourages my internal spirit to speak freely. I always feel like I'm flying while playing WISE ONE.
SILENCIUM was composed by John Harle and is the theme song for the BBC series, Silent Witness. It's one of those simple melodies that I can’t escape humming while walking alone in the woods.
The following tunes were composed by Doug Wicken.
DIONYSIAN HORN-TRIP from the series, County Sketches. This is to reflect the modern version of the Prince Edward County tradition of ‘horn-tripping.’ Today, the inebriants travel from one winery to the next in limos instead of roaming the county roads in cars with cases of beer and whisky.
ETHEREAL MOTIF and ENIGMA are based upon simple motifs (thus the name of the group and the album). Aside from the given melodic motif, no harmonic restrictions are designated or intended. The rhythm is also free except during the original motif when counterpoint has been decided in advance.
THE MUSIC SPEAKS was composed for my dear departed colleague and friend, pianist Barry Wills, with whom I performed on bass for 22 years.
Recorded May 15 & 16, 2023 at The Jazz Room, Huether Hotel, Waterloo, Ontario
Sound Engineer, Mixing & Mastering: Jeremy Bernard
Session Photographs: Scott Wicken
Jacket Image: Doug Wicken
*** BEFORE PLAYING TRACKS, REDUCE VOLUME.
SOUNDS BEST THROUGH HEADPHONES OR FINE SPEAKERS.