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arc

Thomas Handy

Trio

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The Thomas Handy Trio featuring steel-string acoustic guitar, Ravi Naimpally's tabla/percussion and Oliver Schroer's electric violin, performed extensively during the 1990’s. With Thomas’ compositions/arrangements as a basis for improvisation, this group celebrated the individual expressions of these three musical personalities to develop a group soundscape. Each musician has embraced the complexity of our musical environment over the years, and these experiences inspired the Trio's music making. The CD Arc was recorded in Toronto and nominated for a Juno in 1998.
Many thanks to The Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council whose support for this project was invaluable.

"...truly one of Toronto's most original instrumental groups. They defy quick categorization, though trying to pick influences could take you to different corners of the world. It's a credit to the trio's talents individually and their chemistry collectively in the way Arc seems to shift so effortlessly from fiery and spirited to trance-like serenity."
Erin Hawkins - Eye Magazine

Oliver died peacefully on July 3, 2008. As his website reveals, he fully honoured his unique call to music. Ravi and I share a warm remembrance of Oliver and his irreplaceable voice in our trio. It was a joy for us both to make music with him.

An earlier recording titled Thomas Handy Trio- original cassette release 1994
is available on request by sending an email:sales@thomashandy.com

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Thomas Handy Trio

tracks

Sound Clips

Invocation for J.K.(5:22) is an un-metered introductory piece that gradually builds the soundscape.

Spring(10:09) melds east and west in an up-tempo piece emphasizing instrumental unisons and solos by the players.

The Forest and the Trees(12:29) is an experiment in meditation. There are two extended “music concret” atmospheres inserted here which contrast with a recurring rhythmic-harmonic motif and solos.

Joys and Sorrows(9:56) is an up tempo piece in 11 beats. Again, there’s lots of instrumental unison playing and soloing. The percussion is supplied by Middle Eastern dumbek in this case.

The Persistence of History(11:05) is probably the most complex piece here at least in its sonic density. Lots of allusions to influences as the title suggests. There is a highly structured introductory part followed by an extended development out of

a simple pulse. This piece expresses a group improvisation with voices, nylon stringed guitar, violin, and percussion elements added in later

to stir the pot.

Dance(11:06) is an up-tempo East/West world jazz piece that was a starting point for me as the group composer. We got to know each other as players and found ways of fitting in to the group expression by having loads of fun jamming around with this piece.

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