Different Trane

The Different Trane project grew out of a Jazzlines commission to create a series of works drawing influence from the John Coltrane album ‘Africa/Brass’ and the minimalist music of Steve Reich.

The first performance of these new works formed part of the Reich:Influences series at Symphony Hall Birmingham in March 2013.

The ensemble is based around a five-piece brass section and two double basses, this instrumentation being partly derived the original disc and partly from Coltrane’s frequent use of two bass players.

The idea for a minimalist-inspired jazz project came from an interview with Steve Reich in The Guardian:

‘It was at Juilliard in the early 60s that Reich first heard John Coltrane, "which had an enormous impact ... Africa/ Brass was in E for half an hour. How can you play in E for half an hour without getting bored? Through complexity of rhythm, melody and timbre."’

Using rhythm, melody and harmonic stasis this music seeks to combine the somewhat disparate elements of minimalist composition, modal jazz and free improvisation.

Different Trane Ensemble - Madrileño

Music composed by Mike Fletcher for Jazzlines Reich:Influences commission March 2013.
Recorded in Symphony Hall Birmingham, UK June 2013.

Mike Fletcher - Alto Sax
Percy Pursglove, Mike Adlington - Trumpet
Tom Dunnett, Richard Foote, Hans Koller - Trombone
Olie Brice, Nick Jurd - Bass
Tymek Jozwiak - Drums

Different Trane Ensemble - Anima

Music composed by Mike Fletcher for Jazzlines Reich:Influences commission March 2013.
Recorded in Symphony Hall Birmingham, UK June 2013.

Mike Fletcher - Alto Flute
Percy Pursglove, Mike Adlington - Flugelhorn
Tom Dunnett, Richard Foote, Hans Koller - Trombone
Olie Brice, Nick Jurd - Bass
Tymek Jozwiak - Drums