HOW IT ALL CAME TOGETHER...
In 1989, bass artisan Christopher Dean Sullivan met kindred spirit soundrhythium Michael T.A. Thompson and collaborated to form Center Search Quest, offering some of the most fun, unbridled jazz you'll ever hear. This ensemble taps into each other's spirit in such a way that their improvisations become spontaneous compositions. When they ultimately fall into a tune, it's a purely organic occurrence. All walls are down, everything is up for grabs and anything can happen.
Barbara stepped into 'The Quest' in 2002, after hearing Chris and T.A. perform at Harlem's Lenox Lounge Monday night sessions. Barbara instantly knew she had found her kindred sprits, and the three embarked on yet another odyssey. Throughout the course of the next 2 years they collaborated (bassdrums'n'voicethang), performing some of Barbara's originals as well as their unconventional arrangements of jazz and pop standards. During that time, T.A. mentioned to Barbara that what she needed to do next, was an all-original project. Although she had a few of her originals sprinkled throughout her previous two recordings (Oh, What a Thrill, Naxos Jazz and Under the Moon, A440 Music Group) she was more known for her unconventional twists on jazz and pop standards ('pops-terdizing' jazz and 'jazz-terdizing' pop...)
In 2003, T.A. and 'triple threat' pianist/vocalist/songwriter Mala Waldron began a writing collaboration, but they had a long musical association before that. Both had been writing for their own projects, and after being commissioned to write material for another musician, they realized they had a distinct writing chemistry and decided to expand that toward writing for other artists. Shortly thereafter, since they both knew Barbara well, they surprised her with material they had written with her in mind, with the invitation to write lyrics to any of the tunes she resonated with. That gift put this present journey into motion. Soon after, the unit began regularly writing together toward what would become The Timelessness Project. Mala Waldron (who has her own ensemble: The Mala Waldron Group, of which T.A. is also a member) officially joined the unit in the summer of 2004. Her much awaited first U.S. recording, the critically acclaimed Always There, features nine of Mala's originals and was released in 2006.
Multi-reedist Allen Won came on board shortly after that. A master of jazz and classical genres, Allen taps into the core of the music, adapting to each situation in a very personal way. This is what Barbara and T.A. heard when they happened upon Allen at a festival where they were all performing. T.A. suddenly realized he worked with Allen some time back and it all made sense. They then knew he was that missing piece of the puzzle - the perfect fit. It all unfolded so organically, which also describes the effortless way the music evolves. Allen is also a gifted composer who leads his own group, and released his stunning debut CD: The Jewel in the Lotus in 2004.
In this unique and diverse collaboration, The Timelessness Project is genre-bending its way to a whole new sound. With roots firmly planted in jazz and with the improvisational element always in place, the ensemble is on a quest to leave no groove unturned. All five musicians lend their creative -- as well as their physical -- voices to this project in three part harmony, with a little spoken word thrown into the pot. It's music without borders. Timelessness Frozen in Time (SyncTimiCity Productions, STC 2602) features mostly their original material. They sprinkle their live performances with a few boldly arranged, yet familiar surprises.
THE NEXT STEP...
The Timelessness Project presents its latest incarnation, a mixed-media venture entitled Timelessnessity, featuring The Timelessness Project’s creative sounds and original compositions intertwined with the artwork of Barbara Sfraga and photos of Barbara Sfraga, Michael T.A. Thompson and Mala Waldron. Their 2006 release Timelessness Frozen in Time features their original compositions, while the cover art is adorned with drawings by Barbara composed at the mixing session.
The Timelessness Project’s let-it-flow approach and constant evolution inspired Barbara’s 2006 book, The Subway Series: A Book of Drawings Sprinkled with Words. Some of the Words referred to in the title are the ensemble’s lyrics from Timelessness Frozen in Time. The effortless flow of all this creativity led to Barbara’s murals on Sullivan’s bass and T.A.’s drums, which in turn naturally led to the Timelessnessity mixed-media venture.
