Meeting at jazz master Jerry Granelli’s Creative Music Workshop five years ago, saxophonists Nick Dourado (Eddy, Special Costello) and Andrew MacKelvie released six spontaneous tracks on an album titled oo last year. “Everything you hear is improvised, and I think it highlights the connection that Nick and I have,” explains MacKelvie. “We love songs and sounds, the music reflects that. Things that might sound abstract are actually being built on very simple ideas and forms, we just don’t plan it in advance.” Sometimes Dourado also drums or plays keys. After a recent performance at OBEY Convention, XXVII plan to record with Granelli in July. “I love Jerry because he makes us accountable to the music,” says MacKelvie. “This music is serious, but in that seriousness, you can find joy. He taught us that if you dig deep enough into anything you’ll come out on the opposite side, and it’s very beautiful to me.”
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NEW MUSIC ISSUE 2016
This article appears in Jun 9-15, 2016.