Zach’s current project, The Magic Number, is an acoustic trio with Zach on violin, Matt Wigton on bass, and Fred Kennedy on drums, as well as wordless vocals and pitched percussion. The group’s unusual instrumentation allows for a wide variety of sounds, from sparse to dense, and the group’s repertoire is a mix of Zach’s original compositions with original arrangements of modern and classic jazz and pop standards. The absence of either piano or guitar demands extra harmonic duties from each member of the trio, including chordal techniques from the strings and a more contrapuntal approach to the musical arrangements overall.
The Magic Number recorded their first self-titled CD with the generous support of their fans through the website Kickstarter. The trio made it’s international debut at the 2010 Toronto Jazz Festival and they are currently on tour in support of their new CD, released on March 23, 2011.
Matt Wigton is a bassist, composer, and producer who currently resides in New York City. He has toured throughout much of the world in his 12 years as a professional musician and has recorded on over 30 records including Pamela’s 2005 Latin Grammy-Nominated record “Peru Blue.”
He co-wrote the title track “Taller Children” for Verve recording artist Elizabeth and The Catapult and has been featured on BBC as well as numerous publications, among which, the New York Times and Billboard Magazine.
He currently stays active as a sideman as well as writing and producing music for TV, Radio, and Film. For more information, visit www.mattwigton.com.
All About Jazz has likened drummer Fred Kennedy’s “multi-phase pulse” to a “snarling beast,” and says that Kennedy’s “slashing” drumming keeps the listener “locked in and off-balance at the same time.” The New York Times calls his drumming “thrashing.”
Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Fred moved to New York City in 2003, and has since been busy playing across a wide range of genres, from folk to free; electro-acoustic to chamber music; and indie-rock to traditional and modern jazz. Fred has had the opportunity to perform and/or record with many of New York’s contemporary jazz masters, including Greg Osby, Ralph Allessi, Ben Monder, Trevor Dunn, Andrew D’Angelo, David Krakauer, Shane Endsley, JD Walter, Don Brayden, George Colligan, and more. Ongoing projects include Zach Brock’s Magic Number trio, Fire In July, Gray Code, and Ken Thomson and Slow/Fast. Fred has toured throughout Europe and North and South America, and can be heard regularly in such NYC clubs as the Blue Note, Smalls, Rockwood Music Hall, Zebulon, the Knitting Factory, Tea Lounge, 55 Bar, the Living Room, and the Stone.
In addition to his work as a performer, Fred has also collaborated extensively with theatre, dance, and video artists as both a composer and a sound designer.
Fred currently resides in Astoria, NY. For more information, go to fredkennedy.org.
Group Discography
The Magic Number
2011 Secret Fort Records
60205
ZACH BROCK violin, baritone violin, voice
MATT WIGTON bass
FRED KENNEDY drums, percussion
Produced by Scott Anderson
Recording Engineer: Michael Brorby
Mixing: Scott Anderson
Mastering: Scott Anderson
Recorded: May 20-22, 2010
(p)© 2011 Secret Fort Records
Recorded at Acoustic Recording, Brooklyn, NY
Graphic Design: Janis Vogel
This recording was made possible with the help of our fans, friends and families through Kickstarter.
Very special thanks to:
Josephine Ancelle, Beth Bogart, Dan & Jenny Brock, Morgan Childs, Susan Coats, Jeffrey Coe, Dennis Connors, Richard Curtis, Jon Deitemyer, Lucas Fifer, Adam Fisher, Frank Forte, Will Gilliam, John Greenway, Erin Greenwell, Chris Halifoux, Amelia Handzel, Sallie Harper, Jim & Dianne Harper, Jason Harris, Deadra Hart, Lynn Horwitz, Phyllis Jenness, Marion Joyce, Simon & Suzanne McCarthy-Kennedy, Fred & Joyce Kennedy, Greg Kochan, Eric Liu, Cynthia & Judah Lowell, John Mazunik, Laura McKenzie, Anne & Eric Miller, Nancy Nolan, Sinje Ollen, Anne Marie Parsley, Nicholas Photinos, Arthur Pikler, Tracy Robinson, Peter Seman, Ken Shapero, Robin Small, Bonnie Sowder, Ashley Stamper, Tracy Stark, Karl Stillner, Leigh Stuart, Lynsey Sugarman, “Sweet” Sue Terry, Amanda Tosoff, Stacey Underhill, Chris Vandeyacht, Lori White, Mike & Diane Wigton, Douglas R. Wolfe, Eunice Yi, Arthur & Laurie Zucker
Zach Brock Trio EP
2010 Secret Fort Records
602045
ZACH BROCK violin
MATT WIGTON bass
FRED KENNEDY drums
Recorded by Michael Brorby at Acoustic Recording, Brooklyn, NY on September 22, 2009
Mixed and mastered by Scott Anderson at Scott Anderson Recording, Brooklyn, NY on September 9, 2009
