The V16 Project

Highlighting the superb interplay of slide virtuoso David Tronzo, lyrical German guitar ace Christian Kögel (from Jerry’s previous two-guitar band UFB), and versatile bassist Anthony Cox, the group hones its style on a surprising range of material.

There are drummerless acoustic improvs, Kogel’s trancey bossa nova, Jerry’s waltz-to-freetime-to-Latin Mr. Wong suite, a psych-tinged, freegrass flavoured extended cover of the old standard “Temptation,” and several varieties of soul jazz by Cox. Expect the unexpected: as Granelli commented in his note, “The heart of the band is risk, not knowing, curiosity and nowness.”

Granelli inspired admiration for his effortless swing and inventiveness and his constant search for new means of expression. He grew up in San Francisco, where he studied with Joe Morello and drummed for pianists Denny Zeitlin and Vince Guaraldi (he’s on A Charlie Brown Christmas and the Charlie Brown TV soundtracks). He pioneered world jazz fusion and electro-acoustic percussion during the 60’s hippie era and established the music department at the Naropa Institute in Boulder in 1976. In the early ’80s he performed and recorded in a trio with Ralph Towner and Gary Peacock for ECM. He also performed and recorded with longtime musical associates Mose Allison, Jay Clayton, Jane Ira Bloom, Glen Moore, Dave Friedman, and Jamie Saft, as well as in projects with Bill Frisell, Robben Ford, Julian Priester, Charlie Haden and Kenny Garrett, among many others. And there are several other Granellli high-res releases on Songlines. Visit his legacy website for the full picture.

The V16 Project
Jerry Granelli – electro-acoustic percussion
David Tronzo – acoustic & electric guitars
Christian Kögel – acoustic & electric guitars
Anthony Cox – bass