For a band that formed just under three years ago, local jazz trio Cusp has certainly made giant steps, expeditiously establishing itself at the front line of the local scene and attracting an audience that hails not just from the jazz circuit, but from the indie, rock and metal crowds too.
This may be partly due to the fact that all three members, namely guitarist Jes Psaila, drummer Luke Briffa and bassist Alan Portelli, have a background that spans the music spectrum.
In fact, their collective track record includes playing in rock, metal, alternative and hip hop bands. There’s also the fact that their music, while very much rooted in jazz, possesses a certain fluidity about it that lends it a broader appeal.
But what, I ask them, was it that sparked off their interest in jazz?
“It’s not quite that straightforward to explain,” says Psaila, when we meet to talk about the band and its upcoming CD launch gig a week from today. “But I guess what I love about jazz primarily is the element of improvisation, which is characteristic of the genre.”
Coming from a rock background, he concedes that other genres may also involve some improvisation, but nowhere as extensively or as liberating as the space that jazz allows for the musician to roam and delve within the music.
Briffa agrees, adding that one must also consider that these days, jazz can’t really be classified as one genre, as it has evolved so much by incorporating several other elements.
“When you listen to the new cats, artists such as Gilad Hekselman or Tigran Hamasyan, it’s enlightening to see that practically any genre can be merged with jazz and produce something fresh, something new.”
His statement is perhaps particularly significant in that Cusp’s ethic towards making music seems to be a blend of these two aspects. Was this what they set out to do when they formed the band? Was there, in fact, any plan at all? They look at each other and burst out laughing. Psaila notices the quizzical look I throw their way, and explains:
“We find it funny because there’s no real answer to that question, and the honest truth is we’ve been going through different phases ever since we got together.”
He elaborates that this is probably down to the fact that they are a dynamic group of musicians, reacting to various elements and influences that they encounter, and that they “also appreciate that there’s a limit to the sounds that three musicians can create”.
Briffa agrees, adding that “we are rather versatile in the approach we take towards our music, and I suppose this is what keeps it interesting, but the bottom line is that what we seek to achieve with our music is to create a seamless flow – beyond that, we’ve never really had any proper plan”.
This in no way means that Cusp doesn’t have an objective. On the contrary, the band’s relatively flexible agenda has allowed them to explore new ways to get their music across to different audiences.
We are rather versatile in the approach we take towards our music, and I suppose this is what keeps it interesting
“We’ve played some very interesting gigs that weren’t just about the music,” Briffa explains, referring in particular to the Coach and Horses gigs, where they staged a cross-disciplinary performance, one featuring theatrical performer Jimmy Grima, the other alternative band Stolen Creep.
They claim that each of their gigs brings with it a new experience, perhaps understandably more so when they have the opportunity to interact with other art forms.
“In fact, our upcoming EP launch gig will also include performances from the Rubberbodies Collective and a literary reading by Adrian Grima.”
The event they are referring to is the launch of their eagerly-anticipated debut Spiritual Ritual EP. “The title essentially reflects the routine we go through when we rehearse,” Psaila tries to explain. “It starts from the minute we enter the room, switch on the amps, plug in the guitars and start playing, and lasts all the way to the end of the session. By this time we would have become so immersed in the music that it practically evokes a kind of spiritual feel within us.”
Briffa says they were in two minds about the title, as they were also considering calling it Back to Basics. “It is this title that initially inspired my dad Vince (who designed the CD artwork) to come up with the imagery we’ve used for the cover, but it kind of also applied to our other choice, Spiritual Ritual, which is the one we ultimately went for.”
The EP will feature four tracks, three of which (Lisper, Green and Funky Johnny) are original compositions. The fourth is the band’s own interpretation of Wayne Shorter’s Speak No Evil. Anyone who has seen them perform will know this isn’t their first cover. Then again, it’s worth mentioning that when Cusp play another artist’s work, it’s so much more than a cover.
“Let me just say that our version of Shorter’s song is radically reworked,” Psaila points out. “The original version features five musicians, including trumpet, sax and piano, which of course, required a new arrangement, so that we could cover all those instruments with just bass, drums and guitar.”
They admit they’re not reinventing the wheel, as “it’s quite the norm for jazz acts to re-interpret other artists’ work.”
What they are doing, however, is branding their own particular style, and through it bringing jazz to a whole new audience.
The Spiritual Ritual EP will be launched with a live performance by Cusp at the MITP courtyard, Valletta, next Sunday. The concert starts at 7.30pm and will also feature the Rubberbodies Collective and Adrian Grima. Entrance is free. There will also be a food stand manned by Gochi Sushi Restaurant. For more information, look up Cusp on Facebook.