Tim Garland - Geoffrey Keezer
MEZZO is the new duo album from GRAMMY-winning musicians Tim Garland and Geoffrey Keezer, bringing together two artists with decades of international experience for an inspired New York recording session. It marks Garland’s first major project centred on the exceptionally rare mezzo-soprano saxophone, featured on seven of the album’s nine tracks. The repertoire includes four new Garland compositions, works by Keezer, Chick Corea, Mulgrew Miller and Satie and an intuitive take on Cole Porter’s ‘Every Time We Say Goodbye’.
“You can really hear the musical trust built between… Two incredibly accomplished artists who’ve played with Art Blakey, Joe Locke, Christian McBride and Chick Corea between them.”
Soweto Kinch
MEZZO
"Tim Garland, the multi-talented British saxophonist and composer, has worked with some superb pianists down the years – not least the late, great Chick Corea and versatile former Art Blakey sideman Geoffrey Keezer. Their remarkable empathy is showcased on this tour, launching the pair’s eloquent new duo album, MEZZO.”
John Fordham
“Tim Garland and Geoff Keezer create some beautiful duet explorations that are inspired & inspiring. The oneness of their communication and execution is magical.”
Joe Lovano
The album marks a personal milestone for Garland – MEZZO is his first recording not to feature tenor saxophone and the first major release to showcase the exceptionally rare mezzo-soprano saxophone, of which only twenty known examples exist worldwide. Across seven tracks, he explores the instrument’s striking character, its register between soprano and alto and a tone that moves from cor anglais warmth to flugelhorn-like resonance.
"A striking, intimate and flawlessly executed album.”
Neil Duggan
The repertoire includes four new Garland compositions shaped by the mezzo’s unique colour, among them the folk-tinged ‘The Waves Between’, inspired by Esra Kizir Gokcen’s painting featured on the album cover. Works by Keezer, Mulgrew Miller and Erik Satie are presented alongside a single-take rendition of Cole Porter’s ‘Every Time We Say Goodbye’, highlighting the duo’s instinctive rapport. The album also includes the first-ever recording of Corea’s ‘La Fiesta’ on mezzo-soprano saxophone, praised by vibraphone legend Gary Burton as “fresh, intriguing… on a plane of its own genius”.
"Throughout the entire recording the communication between Garland and Keezer borders on telepathic. There is space, risk and tenderness in equal measure. Without needing to shout about its innovations, MEZZO lets them breathe. The result is an album of subtle beauty and enduring depth, proof that when two master musicians hit that sweet spot together, something magical can happen." ****
Mike Gates
"This album offers a compelling form of music that is evocative and beautifully layered. Played by two musicians who have an almost magical instinct for each other’s playing. An instinct that allows them to travel an improvisational journey with purpose and intent. The results that flow through this suite of music are stunning and highly rewarding for the listener who takes the journey with them."
Gareth Allen
