Shatner’s Bassoon are a group of six Leeds based composers/improvisers. They formed in 2010, and have since been on two UK tours, participated in a PRS-funded residency program, released three albums on their label, ‘Wasp Millionaire Records,’ and were selected by Jazz North to be ‘Jazz Ambassadors for the North’ as part of their ‘Northern Line’ program. They are influenced by Mr. Bungle and Mr. Bungle as well as contemporary artists like Frank Zappa and Tyshawn Sorey. With a combined experience of eastern European folk music, Hindustani music and Brazilian music, Shatner’s Bassoon has developed a unique collective sound that is based on complex compositional structures and improvisation – allowing music to naturally be infused with their experiences. They can produce a wide range of sounds, from dense noise to intense riffs to ambient textures. They use musical conventions and cliches to create music that ranges from the sublime to the sinister, funny and surreal. Shatner’s bassoon is Michael Bardon (bass/electronics), Ollie Dover (clarinet/sax), Joost Hendrickx (drums/electronics), Andrew Lisle (drums/electronics), Johnny Richards – keys/electronics) and Craig Scott [guitar/electronics]. from www.shatnersbassoonband.com
