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Glebe: Gaudi

By Neil Duggan
January 14, 2025
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Few jazz groups have a name as uniquely tied to their shared history as

Glebe

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Glebe. The band's name reflects their early days living in a shared flat above a fish and chip shop on Glebe Place, where guitarist

Kieran Gunter

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Kieran Gunter and pianist

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Bland lived after meeting at Leeds College of Music (now Leeds Conservatoire). Since then, they have built impressive careers, contributing to projects in musical theatre and the London jazz scene, performing alongside renowned artists such as

Elliot Mason

trombone
b.1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Elliot Mason,

Dennis Rollins

trombone
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Dennis Rollins and

Bobby Shew

trumpet
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Shew.

Joining the pair in Glebe are bassist

Jack Tustin

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Jack Tustin, saxophonist

Dom Pusey

saxophone, tenor
b.1992

" data-original-title="" title="">Dom Pusey and drummer

Filippo Galli

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Filippo Galli. The album is called Gaudi and is named after the architect of La Sagrada Fam��lia, the famous unfinished Catholic church in Barcelona. The group are further enhanced by guest

Tom Smith (UK)

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Smith (UK) on soprano sax and flute, together with vocalists

Tara Minton

harp

" data-original-title="" title="">Tara Minton,

Clare Wheeler

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Clare Wheeler and

Francesca Confortini

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Francesca Confortini. There are nine tracks, four composed by Gunter and five from Bland.

Gunter and Bland share an admiration for guitarist

Pat Metheny

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny and pianist

Lyle Mays

keyboards
1953 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Lyle Mays and their joint work in the

Pat Metheny Group

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny Group. That influence comes most strongly to the fore in "As Blues As You Once Were." Bland's piano commands attention from the start and together with Gunter and Pusey, they produce some of the wide-screen cinematic feel that PMG often created. Tustin and Galli provide rhythmic drive and direct the time changes, making this a terrific opener.

Beyond piano and organ, Bland expands the sonic palette with Wurlitzer and synth, most notably showcased in the fast-moving fusion of "You Can't Write Tears." The track sparkles with tightly woven saxophone and guitar interplay, punctuated by Galli's crisp drumming. The band reaches its zenith with "Il Regno Della Tomba," where a Brazilian musical undercurrent provides an expansive canvas for Tustin, Gunter and Bland to deliver exceptional solo performances. The album's instrumental repertoire continues with the inventive and uplifting "Kirkstall Abbey" (named after a ruined monastery in Leeds) and "Gaudi's Blues," a track characterised by its unconventional rhythmic shifts, compelling guitar work and a dynamic closing section that allows Galli to unleash his full percussive prowess.

Tara Minton

harp

" data-original-title="" title="">Tara Minton adds vocals, harp and lyrics to Gunter's music on the personal and moving "Haflinger." Her warmth and clarity combine with Bland's well-judged synth atmospherics and Pusey's deft bass clarinet exploration to create a folky, mesmerising charm. Along with Wheeler and Confortini, she also provides vocals on the late 1960s style sway of the extended "Ruby" and wordless vocals on "L'Iseran." Metheny and Mays' influence is evident once more on this tune and the track's journey is elevated further by Smith's flute and fine soprano sax.

The group successfully blends improvisation, melodic appeal and skillful arrangements to create a broad range of musical styles. The album offers much to enjoy and benefits from repeated listens to reveal its rhythmic variations, creative phrasing and terrific musicianship.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

As Blues As You Once Were; You Can't Write Tears; Ruby; Kirkstall Abbey; L'Iseran; Gaudi's Blues; Haflinger; Il Ragno Della Tomba; Il Ragno Della Tomba Outro.

Personnel

Kieran Gunter

guitar

Chris Bland

piano

Dom Pusey

saxophone, tenor

Jack Tustin

bass

Filippo Galli

drums

Tara Minton

harp

Clare Wheeler

vocals

Francesca Confortini

vocals

Tom Smith (UK)

saxophone

Additional Instrumentation

Kieran Gunter: electric guitar, nylon string guitar, steel string guitar (1-9); Chris Bland: piano, organ, Wurlitzer, synths (1-9); Dom Pusey; tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, bass clarinet (1-4, 6-9); Tara Minton: vocals (3,5,7), harp (7); Clare Wheeler: vocals (3); Francesca Confortini: vocals (3); Tom Smith: soprano sax, flute (5).

Album information

Title: Gaudi | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Daggio Records

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