Presents the . . . . . .

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"Their joy in playing explodes in every measure. The arrangements - of everything from "I Am The Walrus" to "Naima", not to mention standards and originals - are beautiful." - Le Jazz

"...tight riff-heavy arrangements, carefully woven contrapuntal lines, a propulsive sense of rhythm, and cleanly articulated concise solos...focus is placed on the group interaction, with the four players starting and stopping on a dime, trading licks with rapid-fire reactions. There is plenty of expert playing here and the four are adept at careful listening." - Cadence Magazine

"an astonishing palette of sound from the unorthodox instrumentation...inventive and full of panache, with a dash of the experimental avant garde, both re-working jazz standards and including clever original pieces...a dynamic presentation that is full of forward movement and sustains interest"; "This unit could hold its own against any similar rhythm section-less unit playing today" - Jazz Times

"One of the best jazz groups in the area"; "craft, wit, imagination and a feeling for tradition"; "harmonic agility and finesse"; "tight and robust ensemble performances"; "every tune and arrangement points to its collective talent and imagination"; "like the World Saxophone Quartet meets Lester Bowie"
- the Washington Post

"stirring music...surprisingly accessible" - CD Review
 

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Formed in 1984 by Washington, D.C. area saxophonist, flutist, composer and arranger Clayton Englar, Windmill has developed a unique and highly eclectic sound over the years, drawing not only from jazz but classical, pop, Latin and avant-garde forms, and using a vast array of woodwind instruments: soprano to bass saxophones, flutes and clarinets. All four members contribute distinctive compositions and arrangements which, along with their own individual playing styles, gives the group a character all its own. For more information on Windmill's members, click here.

If you want to hear what we're talking about, just click on the "Listen to..." links below - you'll find RealAudio and MP3 excerpts from each of the cuts on all Windmill CD's.

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"Very Scary"

 

Windmill has performed in several DC area clubs and festivals over the past decade, as well as engagements in New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. In 1985 Mr. Englar received a generous performance grant from the National Endowment for the Arts specifically for the quartet, and in 1988 he produced their first album, "Very Scary" (on the Pathfinder label). This much-anticipated recording included ten of the quartet's best pieces, and met with universally enthusiastic response both from the press and in radio airplay in the U.S. and abroad. It was also nominated for that year's NAIRD (National Association of Independent Record Distributors) Best Jazz Album award. Long out of print, this recording is available now in a CD-R version, for only $8.00.

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"This'n'That"



Windmill's second release is appropriately titled "This'n'That" (Global View Music - 1998). It features more of Windmill's unique originals, as well as a surprisingly diverse sampling of arrangements of other composer's works (from Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane to The Beatles and Talking Heads). Recorded by maverick audiophile/minimalist recording engineer Pierre M. Sprey, at his Mapleshade studio, this new CD is an aural as well as musical pleasure to listen to. Online price for this CD is a very reasonable $10.00.

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"A Touch of Evil"

... on Mapleshade Records

"The group's music unabashedly avoids the ordinary...passionate explorations that combine some conventional elements - a paradelike drum pattern, a jaunty riff, a lyrical melodic line, for example - with free, often raw, elements - including squawks, squeaks, growls, chirps, hums, scale flurries and free-bop improvisatory excursions - to produce a thick and unique fabric." - Jazz Times

"Not only do they go about their calling with a sense of purpose, direction and adventure, they call on other musicians for added timbral texture...The many moods make for one exciting happening." - AllAboutJazz.com

"Capable instrumentalists all...there are moments - such as on the unruly "Bipartisan Blues" (with its flutes, clarinets, and shambolic rhythms) - where things come together wonderfully...Englar's bass sax anchors the unfettered swing that serves to highlight several enjoyable solos." - Cadence

This new CD was also recorded at Mapleshade Studios, during the same time period as "This'n'That". However, unlike previous projects, this time Windmill is performing with several other talented and empathetic musicians, in a variety of configurations - and using a much looser, more exploratory approach. Featured on piano is the legendary Ran Blake, along with Paul Murphy on drums, bassist Ben Allison, pianist Frank Kimbrough, and percussionist Alfredo Mojica. There are only 5 pieces on this 74-minute CD, including a truly remarkable, unaccompanied, 32-minute free improvisation. Online price for this CD is $12.00.

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Available now: "Live at Twins Jazz"

Recorded on March 20, 2003 at Washington, DC's popular Twins Jazz night club, Windmill is captured in an exciting live performance with master percussionist Mark Merella sitting in on several cuts. Tunes from all 3 Windmill albums are featured, as well as 3 new pieces. This release is a CD-R, recorded direct to minidisk with a basic stereo microphone - not super hi-fidelity, but quite listenable (you will NOT be disappointed!). As such, the price for this 78+ minute is only $5.00.

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