Acrobat: Music for and by Dimitri Shostakovich

SSC1291 2011-11-22

Track List

Dance of Death - 6:26
Talking Bird - 8:06
Strong Arm - 7:09
Some Wounds - 6:59
Fugitive Pieces - 8:09
Silent Witness - 9:36
The Given Day - 7:54
Yurodivy - 5:20
Arcangela - 7:03

Musicians

Chris Speed - saxophone, clarinet
Russ Johnson - trumpet
Russ Lossing - piano, Fender Rhodes
Tom Rainey - drums
Michael Bates - double bass

Dmitri Shostakovich casts a long shadow over the cultural landscape of Russia. A unique artist and individual, the composer has long been a source of interest and inspiration for his achievements and revolutions as the leading voice of Russian culture during the turbulent reign of Stalin. Bassist/composer pays homage to this enigmatic artist on his new CD, Acrobat: Music By, and For, Dmitri Shostakovich (Sunnyside Records, Nov. 22, 2011). The recording features Bates own compositions inspired by the work of Shostakovich with the assistance of a stellar group of collaborators, including saxophonist Chris Speed, trumpeter Russ Johnson, pianist Russ Lossing and drummer Tom Rainey.