Artist: David Bitelli & Ollie Usiskin
Title: Harlesden Sessions
Cat Number: SLAMCD2116
Label, Release Date: SLAM Productions, 1st November 2024
Format: CD & all digital platforms
Barcode: 5052442026310
‘Harlesden Sessions’ is a collection of duo recordings between versatile saxophonist David Bitelli and gifted drummer Ollie Usiskin, who’s imaginative improvisations take us on a journey through post-bop, jazz-funk and free jazz landscapes.
The two North West London natives would meet up on occasional Thursdays to play improvised sax and drums duo sessions. As their understanding grew, they decided to start recording them and ‘Harlesden Sessions’ presents the best of these concise improvised exchanges. They move effortlessly from funk inspired grooves, punchy post-bop, Middle Eastern themes, classic jazz phrasing and spacey free introspections.
Saxophonist/arranger David Bitelli has been active in British jazz since the early 1980s, appearing first as a sideman for Joe Jackson and playing with soul-jazz outfit Working Week and later he was a member of Loose Tubes and Mike Westbrook’s band. He led his own bands such as Onward International and played with Airto Moreira, Dom Um Romao, Dudu Pukwana, Jimmy Witherspoon, Terry Callier, Robert Cray, Kenny Wheeler, Greg Foat, Gunther Schuller, Terry Riley and the Yiddish Twist Orchestra.
Drummer Ollie Usiskin has worked with leading UK jazz musicians including Jim Mullen, Nigel Price, Gareth Williams and Theo Travis. In 2021 he played on a tribute album to jazz-rock guitar virtuoso Allan Holdsworth with guitarists Mike Stern and John Etheridge. His 2023 release, ‘Trio Zone’, was produced by ex-Yellowjackets bassist Jimmy Haslip and featured guitarist Carl Orr and bassist Rob Statham.
‘Harlesden Sessions’ is available on a limited edition 4-panel digipak CD with sleeve notes by Daniel Spicer (The Wire / Jazzwise).
David Bitelli: tenor saxophone
Ollie Usiskin: drums
Press:
“Bitelli’s playing is a joy throughout, relishing the rock solid groove from Usiskin on ‘Determination’ for him to work from, and the delicate brushwork that accompanies his improvisation on ‘The Rise’, enabling him to move into more abstract areas before moving back into a lovely melodic improvisation that brings the piece to a close.” – Jazz Views
All compositions by David Bitelli & Ollie Usiskin
Recorded at Onward Studio, Harlesden on occasional Thursdays between February and April 2022
Mixed and mastered by Jim Barr at J & J Studio, Bristol