Sound Prints European Tour Wrap-up

photo: Lorenzo Duaso
Photo: Lorenzo Duaso

Greenleaf owner and operator Dave Douglas comments on his recent European tour with Sound Prints.

Sound Prints toured throughout Europe in November. I think it was 12 cities in 14 days. Something like that. I never took so many urgent naps, and rarely have I had so much joy playing music every night. The touring party was myself, Joe Lovano, Lawrence Fields, Linda May Han Oh, and Joey Baron. Many readers of this post saw us on this tour and heard the new directions the music took night after night right on stage. Those listeners will know that the band veered into some radical new territory, fresh conversations taking place in the music, and new spirits being conjured in real time. The relationship of playing with Joe Lovano is one of the deepest and most challenging and fulfilling of my musical life. I feel privileged to be a part of this band.

Sound Prints will reconvene in May 2015 on the release of our album on Blue Note Records. The album was recorded on stage at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 2013. The new music we have been playing by Wayne Shorter was commissioned by the festival and premiered there. We also recorded two pieces by Joe and two by myself, music dedicated to the project and to celebrating the vision, music, and inspiration of Mr. Shorter. Since that time there have been many more new pieces brought into the band, and I look forward to continuing these explorations in sound and dialogue.