Formed by three like-minded musicians and friends from the Buffalo area, The Magpies offer an acoustic jazz sound that is steeped in the very best elements of swing, Tin Pan Alley, be-bop and the "not-so-standard" standards. On occasion, the group has delighted their audience with a unique arrangement of a pop tune or tango.
It was by complete coincidence that guitarist - George Kane, trumpeter - Tim Clarke, and bassist - John Werick, ended up discussing their intense mutual desires to try something outside of their usual musical endeavors. Clarke had recently become passionate about researching and playing some of the more obscure small-group jazz, swing and Tin Pan Alley tunes from the 20's, 30's and 40's. He had also begun composing original music in those very same styles. Kane, who has effectively studied, played and taught more genres of music than most musicians will ever know, was looking to expand his horizons yet again. Werick was interested in returning to the basics of jazz and swing, while simultaneously enhancing his own sound through decreased amplification. Add all of these basic ingredients together, and you end up with a group that is incredibly musical, sophisticated, and downright fun to listen to …. The Magpies.
While often appearing as the above-mentioned trio, The Magpies have also been known to perform with the addition of drummer - Tom Kasperek. After the first few rehearsals conducted by Clarke, Kane and Werick, the consensus was that there was a "need for a drummer on a lot of these tunes." "TK," as he is affectionately known, was their first call – hands down. As one of the most sought-after drummers around, his musical maturity, experiences, and accomplishments qualify him as a real musical treasure in our region.
"Magpies" are a most infamous type of creature. The Magpies Jazz Trio and Quartet has chosen this name with the hope of highlighting their deliberately paradoxical mix of musical integrity with a stiff dose of irreverence and whimsicality. America's classical music "Jazz" has taken yet another turn with the advent of The Magpies. Trust me …. This group will leave you tapping your foot, humming a tune and, no doubt, smiling from ear to ear.
column in the US magazine, Just Jazz Guitar.
http://www.roypatterson.com/
