{"id":394,"date":"2014-08-15T04:35:45","date_gmt":"2014-08-15T04:35:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jimalfredson.com\/?p=394"},"modified":"2014-11-28T18:24:05","modified_gmt":"2014-11-28T18:24:05","slug":"press-release-for-theo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jimalfredson.com\/?p=394","title":{"rendered":"Press release for THEO"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"THEO-logo-620x400\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Big O Records<\/strong>\u00a0(Lansing, MI) is excited to present the debut album by the new progressive rock band\u00a0THEO<\/strong>. Formed by world reknown keyboardist\u00a0Jim Alfredson<\/strong>\u00a0(organissimo, Dirty Fingers, Janiva Magness, Greg Nagy Band, Root Doctor<\/strong>)\u00a0THEO<\/strong>\u00a0harkens back to the keyboard-centric superbands of the 1970s like\u00a0Yes<\/strong>,\u00a0Genesis<\/strong>, and\u00a0Emerson Lake and Palmer<\/strong>, but with a distinctly modern and bold approach.<\/p>\n

Alfredson<\/strong>\u00a0is joined by bassist\u00a0Gary Davenport<\/strong>\u00a0(805 Band, Janiva Magness<\/strong>), drummer\u00a0Kevin Depree<\/strong>\u00a0(Sound Is Red, Greg Nagy Band<\/strong>) and guitarist\u00a0Jake Reichbart<\/strong>. The eponymous debut album features six tracks including an epic 30 minute opening suite.<\/p>\n

Jim Alfredson<\/strong>\u00a0is best known for his work with acclaimed jazz trio\u00a0organissimo<\/strong>\u00a0and is considered among the best Hammond organists working today. As Downbeat magazine wrote, \u201cAlfredson<\/strong>\u00a0is a remarkable organist who seamlessly synthesizes several generations of keyboard influences\u2026<\/em>\u201d Keyboard magazine, in reviewing\u00a0organissimo<\/strong>\u2018s album\u00a0Alive & Kickin\u2019<\/strong><\/em>, wrote that\u00a0Alfredson\u00a0<\/strong>\u201csuccessfully walk[s] the line between complex and accessible\u2026<\/em>\u201c<\/p>\n

With\u00a0THEO<\/strong>,\u00a0Alfredson<\/strong>\u00a0brings his considerable musicianship to bear on his first love, progressive rock. As\u00a0Alfredson<\/strong>\u00a0explains: \u201cI grew up listening to\u00a0Peter Gabriel<\/strong>,\u00a0Genesis<\/strong>,\u00a0Yes<\/strong>,\u00a0Jethro Tull<\/strong>,King Crimson<\/strong>,\u00a0Gentle Giant<\/strong>\u2026 all the classic prog bands. I even made my own prog \u2018album\u2019 when I was 16 that I passed out to friends and family. But then I was bitten by the jazz bug and dedicated the next 17 years of my life to figuring out that music. Surprisingly, that education paved the road back to progressive music, back to my love of synthesizers and exploring different musical forms. I feel like my musical journey has brought me full circle.<\/em>\u201c<\/p>\n