“Bringing the Blues back to Jazz.”

Who are they you ask? Amos, of course. First chair guitar and vocals. Keith Smith, other first chair guitar. And Greg Carroll, string bass. A little detail....

You can read about Amos in the Bio section elsewhere on this site so some info on Keith and Greg.

Keith Smith – A consummate Canadian fingerstyle jazz guitarist—adept at chord soloing and the use of elaborate plucked harmonics and alternating harmonics and natural fretted notes as pioneered by Ed Bickert and Chet Atkins and then taken to the moon by Lenny Breau ( a major influence on Keith). Originally from Hamilton, Ontario and long term resident of Calgary, Keith is and has been involved in several projects including his own trio and the Prime Time Big Band with whom he has performed with such luminaries as Doc Severinsen, P.J.Perry, ,Tommy Banks, and trombone great Wycliffe Gordon. He also has a fondness for Mongolian folk music and has toured China twice with The Northern Lights Quartet and the great Mongolian throat singing group Altai Hangai.

Greg Carroll—String bassist. Originally from St Georges, Newfoundland, and long time adopted Albertan, he studied jazz at St. Francais Xavier University where he obtained a BA music major. He studied under the instruction of the Canadian bass icon Skip Beckwith, becoming his star pupil. Greg lives in High River Alberta and has performed with many Canadian music luminaries.

What do they do you ask? Start with classic bebop era modern jazz with it’s heavy blues influence. The group’s motto “ Bringing the Blues back to Jazz” says a lot. Says Keith-“In our search for something profound, we so often just settle for something more complicated and in the process, drive much of our audience away. The Blues, as the “antecedent of”and a driving force in Jazz seems to have largely disappeared from it. That’s not to say that current Jazz is incomplete without it. I just miss the “feel”, the “blood and guts” that was there when the music was more visceral and perhaps a bit less intellectual.”

The repertoire includes pieces from the era’s great blues influenced composers—Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Horace Silver and Freddy Hubbard, to name a few. Originals too, by Amos and Keith. “We swerve away from the jazzblues thing some of the time to show the variety and versatility the group has” says Amos. Various Latin forms like Bossas, modalities and even a few standards ( with Amos on vocals) are dropped into an evening’s performance. Maybe a Bill Frisell piece. An album is forthcoming.

Finally—What do they sound like? Answer—Like nothing you’ve ever heard before.

Assuming you have some idea of Amos’ utterly unique approach to the guitar, when it’s combined with Keith’s also one of a kind style there’s a compatibility there that’s uncanny. The trio’s approach is extremely melodic and rhythmic as well – a common comment the group often hears after the show is “You know, Jazz really isn’t my thing, but I love what you guys are doing!” And the best way to really know what they sound like is to listen to the sampler from their forthcoming live album that’s in the trio’s press kit on this site. Enjoy.