"A mind-embracing sound emanating from one of the most important corners of the jazz and art world. Their sound is woven of the fabric that ultimately gave rise to this fantastic fusion"The Big Takeover

"Exuberant melodies... charging full speed ahead"Huffington Post

"A smooth atmosphere that sounds improvised and yet focused, conjuring images of smoky bars and sultry late nights"Overblown Magazine

"Some of the most exciting creative musicians on the New York scene... smoothly combines elements of jazz, electronica and soul music"The Record Stache

"This really brought me back to the days of Jaco, Miles, the two Stanleys (Clarke & Jordan)... this is pure music in its most freeform and transic state" Jammerzine

 

Brooklyn-based A Tree Grows present their self-titled debut album, set for release on March 17 through Rufftone Records. Involving some of the most talented musicians on the New York scene, they create a unique stew with jazz at its core, blended with afrobeat, rock and experimental sounds. Tastefully crossing stylistic barriers, this unique collaboration involves two brothers - Rashaan Carter and Russell Carter- and German-born electronic musician Emanuel Ruffler. Together, they create sonic textures, over which Tivon Pennicott and Duane Eubanks stretch a layer of raw, emotional jazz lines. Not afraid to defy expectations of style, instrumentation and expression, A Tree Grows delivers a potent sonic concoction that is refreshing, insightful, and deliciously exciting.

 

At the top of today's young saxophone world, Tivon Pennicott brings fantastic rhythm, tasteful melodic lines and deeply important groove. A two-time Grammy winner and runner-up in the Thelonius Monk Competition, he is also a prominent part of jazz-soul singer Gregory Porter's band, among today’s most celebrated genre-crossing artists. Hailing from Georgia, Tivon began playing with guitar legend Kenny Burrell while in college, performing at many world-class venues alongside the likes of Stevie Wonder and Wynton Marsalis. Since moving to New York in 2009, he has collaborated with many artists, appeared on Esperanza Spalding's crossover success "Radio Music Society”, and toured with master drummer Al Foster, known for his long-term collaboration with Miles Davis.

 

Emanuel Ruffler, a New York resident of more than 20 years, also comes with a colorful musical pedigree. After taking grand prize in the Thelonious Monk Competition, he has achieved songwriting credit on Me’shell Ndegocello’s 'Aquarium' and also collaborated with world-famous designer Emanuel Ungaro, which ultimately led to Ruffler soundtracking an ad for an Ungaro-produced perfume.

 

Rashaan and Russell Carter's love of music fostered by their saxophonist father and mother, a radio programmer. The bass ultimately became the voice for Rashaan’s musical expression with Russell on drums. They cut their teeth on the local Washington, D.C. scene with artists such as as Gary Thomas and after Rashaan moved to New York City to attend the New School University, he quickly began working with many faculty members, including percussionist and composer Joe Chambers. Rashaan met future bandmate Emanuel Ruffler at that time.

 

Trumpeter Duane Eubanks has performed everywhere, including the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, in addition to Europe and Japan.  He is a member of Dave Holland’s two time Grammy Award winning big band and the late Mulgrew Miller's band, Wingspan. Having played with dozens of renowned figures in the jazz world, he has crossed over into other genres, recording and touring with The Temptations, Alicia Keys, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Wu Tang Clan, Freedom Williams, Kirk Franklin, and Defunkt.

 

To obtain electronic press kit and music files or to arrange interviews or in-studio sessions, please contact Shauna McLarnon at Shameless Promotion PR  contact@shamelesspromotionpr.com  Phone+1 (705) 874-7402

 

 

 

THE PLAYERS:

Emanuel Ruffler - keyboards

Tivon Pennicott - saxophone

Rashaan Carter - bass

Russell Carter - drums

Duane Eubanks - trumpet