Alex has played bass in some noteable bands since the 70's such as Shadoplay,
Breezebop, Piebald Shark and Tycobrae.His favorite music is original jazz,
latin, free-form, funk and r&b. He plays a 5 string fretless bass made by Taco
Hozono in California. It started with the Tycobrae Band in '72 and Neil Kowall's
blazing black '63 Strat. Piebald Shark, the name is a winning sculpture hidden
in storage from the Titus Groan Trilogy, with Neil Brant's fluid guitar sound,
backed up Doctor Hook, Gainsborough Gallery and the Sam Hill Band (Foster
Child).
In '82 a new name was found, from the LA Express Album with a cover painting
by Joni Mitchel called Shadowplay . Shadoplay performed 13 years consecutively
at the Calgary Jazz Festival. Starting in '82 on the main stage at Prince's
Island Jazz Festival with Gib Monks. This and the numerous jazz clubs they have
played should put them in the history of jazz in Calgary. In 1985, Alex produced
the song Norwegian Rat live, which he co-wrote with Neil Brant. It went to No.1
in 2 weeks on CJSW FM. In 1986, Alex co-wrote Tahiti Treat with Hal Hanen which
rose to #3 on CJSW FM. Also in '86, Shadoplay performed at Ace of Clubs with
Brass on Fire for Jazz Calgary and it was recorded live by CBC. Shadoplay shared
the stage with Skywalk for the '91 Jazz Festival at Sparky's. In 1992, Alex
added LA North - 4 dancers for the Jazz Festival at Olympic Plaza, MusiCalgary,
Paliser Hotel and other shows. The Yardbyrd Suite in Edmonton, Bowfest, Bowen
Island Pub, B.C., Ten Foot Henry's and the Jack Singer Concert Hall at the
Performing Arts Centre were some of the many venues.
Alex studied with Nico Assumpao in Rio de Janeiro in '96. Upon his return to
Calgary, Alex and Mike Lefebvre backed up Medeski, Martin and Woods at the
Republic, Calgary Jazz Festival. They then formed a 7 piece jazzfusionpop band
called Breezebop with 4 members from Shadoplay. They performed that summer at
the Jazzoo Concert Series at the Calgary Zoo and at the '97 Calgary Jazz
Festival. In 2001, Alex performed in an original latin/flamenco band called
Nasca with Mike Lefebvre at the Marda-Gra Festival and Africaday festivities in
Calgary, Alberta. 2002 brought "Hi Rev Tuners" a live radio/internet concert on
KEXP FM Seattle, Washington. Organized by Freejazz Guru, David Haney, who
invited Alex and Adam Dillar to perform at the Jack Straw Studio, September 14
'02 in Seattle. The concert was recorded live to CD by Doug Haire and will be availible soon.
The next night the trio performed at the Upstage in Port Townsen, Washington. On
Thursday, October 17 '02, the track "You can't Get There From Here" was aired on
CJSW FM radio and internet by Paula Fayerman, on her show "Noise." The CD has been featured on CFRO FM in Vancouver on the show "A Trane."
In Febuary '03 Alex called on former SHADOPLAY Bandmates - Adrien
Haggis-Piano and Dan Martin- Electric Guitar to perform Avant-Garde/Free
Form Jazz at the Beat Niq Jazz and Social Club. In June David Haney, Han
Bennink from Amsterdam and Alex recorded live at X-N-Tric Studios in
Vancouver. B.C., June 20 2003. Alex then went to Portland, Oregon and
performed with David for 3 nights. The Tugboat on June 28'03 is in Old
Town and the classy vintage Heathman Hotel on June 30'03. Alex returned to
Portland in September to play 2 nights with David and finish recording
the CD KHANITRA. In April 2004, Alex performed with Mike Lefebvre and
Nazca in Victoria, B.C. The CD KHANITRA was featured on CBC AM and CJSW
FM with interviews with Alex to preview the Haney, Bennink, Hutchison
concert on June 5'04 at the Cantos Music Foundation for Jazz Festival
Calgary. The antique baby grand piano was on a rosewood stage. CBC AM then interviewed
Alex for the upcoming Hutchison, Haggis and Martin performance, which
was videoed and recorded at Beat Niqs during the Calgary Stampede, July
17'04. In September '04, Alex, David and Doug Haney, no relation, on
Contra Bass Clarinet and Sax's, played 2 nights in Portland.
Read about Shadoplay
