THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED DEBUT ALBUM

The Teak Project brings together three of Britain's finest young improvisers to make music that evades definition. This is not 'jazz' or 'Hindustani classical' – at least, not as you've known it. It is a unique piece of joinery – classic, seamless – powered by solid and individual vocabularies.

Between them, The Teak Project have performed across many genres, from the ethereal sounds of Arvo Pärt to the tripping grooves of the Dub Pistols, from the elliptical melodies of Nikhil Banerjee to the complex structures of Xenakis. It is this cumulative wealth of experience and knowledge which informs their compositions and playing.

The results speak for themselves. The music is played with conviction and the writing is uncompromising. Most importantly, teamwork takes the lead. The trio's success lies in their intuitive rapport – the ability of each instrumentalist to adapt his playing to highlight the virtuosic qualities of the other.

Intimate ballads like Emily punctuate tightly woven pieces (Outnumbered by One) and energetic interplay (Deliver Me) to create an album with refinement and poise.

The Teak Project makes music that lasts. Inspired by their predecessors, these artists are creating sounds designed not just for their own pleasure but with an intensity that will captivate any listener.

Biographies

Jonathan Mayer 
Son of the late composer and co-founder of Indo-Jazz Fusions, John Mayer, Jonathan began his musical training at an early age, and at 16 resolved to be a  sitarist. Jonathan studied composition from his father and later with Andrew Downes at the Birmingham Conservatoire where he gained a B.Mus (Hons) studying both sitar and composition. He has played with artists such as Kumar Bose, Erich Gruenburg, Rohan De Sarem, Bombay Dub Orchestra, Sarah Brightman, and Sir Paul McCartney. Jonathan's compositions have been performed by Erich Gruenburg, Joji Hattori, and his father's band Indo-Jazz Fusions. He has toured worldwide as a soloist and in various ensembles.

“astonishingly virtuosic”
- Classic CD, UK

“exhilarating solos from Jonathan on Sitar”
- The Times, UK

Justin Quinn
Born 1978 in New York, but largely based in Britain, Justin was a winner of the 2004 BBC Jazz Award for Innovation alongside fellow members of the F-ire Collective. Justin has worked with the likes of Kenny Wollesen, Kermit Driscoll, Martin France, Gerard Presencer, Jeff Ballard, Curtis Fowlkes, Simon H. Fell and Leafcutter John. His debut album with his own group Bakehouse was named 1 Jazz Album of 2005 by MOJO magazine and described as "Convincingly jagged, serene, tranquil, provocative, reassuring and strangely beautiful all at once".

“a startlingly fresh and deeply individual talent”
- Mojo   

“a rising star in London’s jazz and improvised music scene”
- Jazz Views

Neil Craig
A classically trained percussionist, Neil has performed in many musical contexts throughout his career, including orchestral, avant-garde and traditional Hindustani music. After graduating with a B.Mus from the Western Australian Conservatorium of Music in Perth, his native city, he freelanced with various orchestras and ensembles, touring North and South America, Australia and Southeast Asia. At the age of 24 he was a full-time lecturer in music in Malaysia. Also trained in Latin percussion, Neil came to London to study tabla  under renowned tabla player, Pandit Sharda Sahai. Neil can be heard on The Christian Garrick Quartet's album FLY 3 and recently toured with the augmented version of this band, the Firewire Ensemble.

“formidable… tabla maestro Neil Craig beautifies”
- jazzcds.co.uk

“Australian tabla player Neil Craig adds further richness”
- Jazzwise