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November 2008
Video clips added to YouTube
Various clips of PD3 plus Pete Downes & Martyn Barker playing tracks in the studio have been added to youtube, Channel address is: http://uk.youtube.com/user/PD3withDP. They can also be seen on the Multimedia page.
September 2008
Pete Downes and Martyn Barker sign publishing deal.
Pete Downes and Martyn Barker - the hang drum and acoustic guitar duo
- have just signed a lucrative publishing deal with Annie
Reed Music for their new recording 'Elements' and it has has already proved a huge
success with professional film makers.
They are now looking to present their unique sound to the public through live performances.
Their recent appearance at Marlborough Jazz Festival was a huge success with audience and organisers alike. "Our sound created a lot of curiosity" said Pete, "and Martyn was asked many questions about the origins of the hang drum".
The music ranges from atmospheric to mystical with jazz and world influences. Martyn's hang drum is tuned to the scale of A Phrygian so modes of that scale were the basis for most pieces. You can hear samples of the recording on this site.
June 2008
Festival season is here and Pete and PD3 are playing various festivals. Photos from Croydon Jazz festival are here.
Pete's project with Martyn Barker has it's first performance at Marlborough Jazz Festival. Details on the dates page along with other performances.
February 2008
It has been quiet from us for the last few months and there are several reasons for this. All are exciting developments:
PD3 and Dick Pearce performing with new material
Pete Downes & Martyn Barker acoustic music project
Pete Downes writes music for the NHS
PD3 with Dick Pearce
PD3 with Dick Pearce are keen to
be on the road again with new material by Dick and Pete.
"
Dick has written several pieces specifically for PD3" says Pete. "And
we are very pleased with his interpretation of our sound". The quartet
have several new season bookings lined up an are keen to get out on the
road again with more. To book the band get in touch via the Contact page.
Pete Downes is currently writing and recording with percussionist Martyn Barker (Shriekback, Sarah-Jane Morris, Billy Bragg) and will feature Martyn on Hang Drum: a tuned percussive instrument played with the hands, and Pete on nylon and steel strung acoustic guitars. "Many pieces are improvised" says Pete, "and the modal nature of the Hang Drum gives the pieces a hypnotic feel. We are working on a varied repertoire from deep spiritual feels through to ethnic dance rhythms. "Martyn and I have always hit it off musically" says Pete, "and when we improvise it really does just click." Once the recording and writing is finished, Pete and Martyn are looking forward to performing the material Samples will be available to hear on the website soon. |
 Martyn playing the Hang Drum in Wiser Production's studio |
Pete Downes writes music for the NHS
Pete was commissioned by the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Unit of the UK National Health Service to produce a therapy recording for use with patients. Working closely with Hypnotherapist Christine King, Pete wrote and produced music to accompany her voice, leading patients through breathing and relaxation techniques.
"Christine and I produced a series of self-help recordings some time ago" says Pete, "and the success of these led to this commission. We are hoping to re-release some of the recordings in the near future."
Of late, Andy has been busy with his other band project, the Brighton-based five-piece DrBoKarma, fronted by guitarist and songwriter Mark Broad. Andy plays bass (double and electric) and occasionally gets let loose on harmonica.
DrBoKarma has just released ‘the difficult first album’, a set of entirely original compositions under the intriguing title “Don't Be Ridiculous – part one”. Andy and Mark's musical collaborations go back some 34 years, to Andy's student days, when the two performed around the Brighton area with StaJoJo, featuring the flute and sax of John Good and fusion guitarist Anthony Hindson (who then moved to the US and recorded with several major artists, including drummer Tony Williams and bassist Jack Bruce.)
Andy and Mark are joined in the band by Mark's rising-star daughter ‘MaddieB’ on vocal, the youthful and effervescent Bryn Hoffman on drums, and saxophonist Robin Watt of swing-band 'Rocking in Rhythm' fame. Mark and the band are already gearing-up to begin work on “Don’t Be Ridiculous – part two”.
| © Wiser Productions Ltd 2004 |