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CBYD Jazz Quartet

In its current configuration, CBYD is a jazz quartet that's been playing together steadily since mid-year, 2008. Prior to that, bassist Chris Reilly and drummer Jonas Sanchez, the rhythm section for the hip-hop/fusion band Above/Below would, on occasion, back up anyone interested in improvising in a jazz approach. It was nothing altogether serious, but it happened enough times to indicate a desire by the two to play more jazz. Chris graduated from Connecticut College as a music major, owned an upright which he played for the orchestra, and was down to play music (of any genre) all the time. Jonas started on the drums with jazz but converted quickly to rock when opportunities to play jazz with his peers disappeared under the seductive popularity of rock music.

In November of 2008 Above/Below met and quickly recruited the newly arrived Kevin Thornton, an alto player and straight up jazz man who had recently moved to New London from Baltimore, MD where he immersed himself it the city's jazz scene. Above/Below trumpet player John Harbel suggested they form a quartet as a side project, an idea appealing to all for different personal reasons, and the group started playing standards at a weekly gig in town. For a short while the group expanded to a quintet when joined by Mike Golembeski on piano, but life and scheduling would eventually cost them both Mike and John, reducing the group to a trio for a short stint, until Kevin brought in Scott Drouin on guitar.

This current quartet continues to play weekly and has added original compositions and periods of free improvisations to a list of standard favorites. Collectively their taste leans more to modern jazz than traditional/bop, and can easily push the boundaries of experimental/avant garde when the mood strikes. Until recently these groups have played without a name. Above/Below frontman Gabe Chandler suggested CBYD, a name that inevitably stuck more out of necessity than anything else. The explanation of this name will not be covered here, as it requires its own note to explain it.

Kevin Thornton (alto saxophone)
Scott Drouin (guitar)
Chris Reilly (double bass)
Jonas Sanchez (drums)

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