BILL FRISELL - ALL WE ARE SAYING

Consummate guitarist, composer and musical interpreter Bill Frisell is set for a slew of promotional activities in December to promote the release of his highly praised new project All We Are Saying — his exploration of the songs of John Lennon. On December 5, Jazz At Lincoln Center will host a listening party and Q&A with Bill from 7-8pm at the Nesuhi Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame. Bill will appear at Barnes and Noble in NYC at 86th and Lexington on December 9th at 4pm for a Q&A and performance. On December 16, Frisell will tape a Tiny Desk Concert in the offices of NPR—airdate TBD. All We Are Saying  featuring his trusted ensemble consisting of Jenny Scheinman (violin), Tony Scherr (bass), Greg Leisz (guitars) and Kenny Wollesen (drums) remains firmly ensconced in the Top 20 of Billboard's jazz charts (both Contemporary and Current). In addition, Bill Frisell will perform alongside Jenny Scheinman at the Village Vanguard from December 6 through December 11.

The project has long been in the works—one could go as far back as the first time he heard the Beatles at the age of 13. Fast forward a few decades and Frisell is asked to put together an impromptu set in honor of John Lennon as part of a special event in Paris. The preparation, performances and reception to these compositions was an inspiration nurtured to fruition with this project. The project is already garnering rave reviews from critics and fans alike (Frisell's Facebook page recorded 5000 "Likes" the first day of posting with hundreds of comments accumulating). Recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley and produced by Lee Townsend, All We Are Saying was released on Savoy Jazz on September 27.

Described by the Wall Street Journal as "the most innovative and influential jazz guitarist of the past 25 years" Frisell's artistry has earned across the board praise for his instinctual musicianship—working both within and beyond the parameters of jazz music as he effortlessly incorporates elements of Americana, world, blues, classical, creating a rich and unique aural tapestry. Says Frisell: "John Lennon's music has been with me, the band, everybody, the world...seems like forever. The songs are part of us. In our blood. There was nothing we really needed to do to prepare for this. We've been preparing our whole lives. The songs are there. All we had to do was play them. Everyone involved with this has their own personal, deep, long, relationship to John Lennon's music. It connects us all and brings us together. I feel blessed having the chance to play this music with these people.".