TREN DYDD

Gary Brunton invites us to take a ride on his “day train” with TRÊN DYDD. Accompanied by his fellow musicians and travel companions François Jeanneau, Andrea Michelutti, Emil Spanyi, and Paul Lay, Trên Dydd is a quasi-generational and timeless jazz project. With this new, convivial and warm album, Gary Brunton takes us to Wales, evoking moments from his life, including his family.

We know Gary Brunton for his collaborations with Stéphane Belmondo or François Théberge, his sextet Brunt’Off, the large ensemble Pee Bee he directs, or Night Bus with Bojan Z and Simon Goubert.

For Trên Dydd, he has surrounded himself with François Jeanneau – one of the pioneers of free jazz on saxophone, Andrea Michelutti on drums, and on piano, either Paul Lay or Emil Spanyi depending on the tracks. The artistic direction is provided by Bojan Z and Serge Merlaud also provides advice. Together, they give birth to a captivating album both for the quality of the writing and for the spontaneity.

Among the tracks on the album, “Energy Master Loc” opens the album and pays tribute to Gary Brunton’s Tai-Chi teacher, Tan Loc Nguyen, whose art and practice helped Brunton improve his physical and mental approach to the double bass. “Brother Stuart” and “Brew Ten” are dedicated to Brunton’s close family. The former is a composition written in memory of his late uncle Stuart, while the latter (like the album itself) is dedicated to his father, John Brunton, and pays homage to the American saxophonist Pepper Adams, whom Brunton greatly admired.
And who hasn’t asked the question “Where are we meeting for Christmas?” Gary Brunton poses this question in “So, what’s happening at Christmas?” and “Burnley or Bethlehem“, evoking a reunited family and highlighting the importance of family ties that are dear to the musician.

Two compositions emphasize the importance of Wales in Gary Brunton’s life and musical career. “Bendigedig” (bɛndɪˈɡɛdɪɡ) which means “beauty,” “wonder,” or “blessing” in Welsh, is a word that overflows with positive vibes.

“Land of my Fathers, You Dig” revives memories of the two years he spent in Wales, discovering modern jazz and his passion for the double bass, to which he would dedicate his life. Additionally, it is on this track that François Jeanneau performs the Welsh national anthem (composed by James James) on saxophone. The spirit of John Coltrane is not far away.
“Dirty Bebop” celebrates the bebop of the 1950s in France and the United Kingdom. We climb up the hill with “Up Pendle“: a journey through the mystical region of Pendle Hill, located in the northwest of England near Burnley and associated with witchcraft. “Good Shalt Prevail,” the last track on the album, is a hopeful jazz waltz. It reminds us that despite the injustices and difficulties of the world, good will ultimately triumph.

Gary Brunton invites us to embark on a journey through contemporary jazz with 13 original compositions that blend captivating melodies and entrancing grooves. His mastery of the double bass, along with the virtuosity of his fellow musicians, transports the listener on a musical voyage that is rich in emotions.

Energy Master Loc *
Brother Stuart **
Brew Ten *
So, what’s happening at Christmas?
Magyar Mayhem
Burnley or Bethlehem *
Bendigedig
Land of my fathers, you dig **
Dirty Bebop **
Jonquilles *
Up Pendle *
Half a polo **
Good Shalt Prevail *
 
All compositions by Gary Brunton
Except « Land of my fathers, you dig » by James James arranged by Gary Brunton
Published by Editions Amoc

* Emil Spanyi – Piano
** Paul Lay – Piano

Gary Brunton (Double Bass)
François Jeanneau (Soprano Saxophone)
Andrea Michelutti (Drums)

Emil Spanyi (Piano *)
Paul Lay (Piano **)

Artistic direction by Bojan Zulfikarpasic and Gary Brunton
Studio producer – Bojan Z
Assistant studio producer – Serge Merlaud
Recorded and mixed by Vincent Mahey at Studio Sextan
Mastered by Raphaël Jonin
Front cover photograph by Robert Hartley
Photographs by Camille Huguenot
Gary Brunton logo by Loreta Brunton
Graphic Design by Lucas Ranoux
Production : Juste Une Trace
With support : SCPP
Release date : 19-05-2023