Clarion Fracture Zone was founded in 1988 by Tony Gorman and Sandy Evans, saxophonists from Scotland. They joined forces with Alister Spence, pianist, to create a jazz quintet. There have been many rhythm sections to the band, starting with Andrew Dickeson as drummer and Steve Elphick as bassist. In 1992, the band was led by Tony Buck and Louis Burdett. The group’s engine room has been led by Lloyd Swanton, bassist, and Toby Hall, drummer. “…this band is the best in the world. It unwinds the unconscious in a way that is both physically, emotionally, and intellectually destructive. Their music has a grace, and sensitivity that few musical artists can even dream of. Craig Pearce Drum Media 9/97 Blue Shift was awarded the 1990 ARIA Award as Best Jazz Album. It also received a 5-star rating from JAZZTHETIK Magazine in Germany. Coda (Canada), and The Jazz Times (USA), voted it among the top10 jazz albums made in 1990. Clarion Fracture Zone’s debut album Blue Shift was a huge success. Zones on Parade was reviewed by Down Beat Magazine in July 1995 and received a 5 star rating. It was also voted Editors Choice 1994 Record Poll Cadence Magazine (USA). Rufus Records has released What This Love Can do, a collection of Sandy Evans’ music, and their recent album Less Stable Elements. Clarion Fracture Zone’s originality and intelligence have won them praise from jazz writers all over the globe. Their performances are a delight for audiences around the world. This has led to invitations to many of world’s most prestigious festivals and venues, including the North Sea Jazz Festival (Brecon International Jazz Festival), the Edinburgh Festival, WOMAD, Jazz Yatra and the Taipei Biennial. Canticle is the group’s latest release, which was a collaboration with The Martenitsa Choir. Canticle was inspired by a passage from the biblical love poem, “Song of Songs”, and was created in 1997 by Eastside Parish Uniting Church. “Discipline and spontaneity acting in connection with high ensemble density and brilliant soloistic parts…perfect arrangements and enormous musical charisma…” “Discipline, spontaneity, and high ensemble density are all connected with brilliant soloistic parts Kreiszeitung Syke in Germany, 4/96. “A truly contemporary band, sensitively mixing electronic sampling and acoustic guitar playing to create a confection of influences that sounds as if it was meant to be together.” John Fordham, The Guardian London 9/94. Note: Tony Gorman was diagnosed in 1997 with multiple sclerosis. Clarion Fracture Zone has had to drastically reduce its performance schedule. Sandy and Tony will continue their collaboration as composers in Gest8. Sandy and Alister continue to perform in a duet arrangement. Tony has released an exquisite solo clarinet CD Songs Of Hope which you can buy through Birdland Rercords from http://sandyevans.com.au
