In the 1980’s Vancouver’s favourite underground cult figure guitarist Tony Wilson studied jazz guitar at Malaspina College in Nanaimo, BC (Canada). It was during this time that he met the unique composer and saxophonist, Peder Long.  Initially the two musicians played jazz standards together. As their musical relationship developed they began to perform Peder’s original compositions in various ensembles and such.  Wilson then moved to Vancouver and focused on his own career as a composer and bandleader. Throughout this time, Wilson would bring some of Peder’s tunes to his own ensembles and he thought about making a dedicated recording of Peder’s music.  Longhand ‘Plays Long’ is that recording! Peder Long has long been out of the Vancouver underground music scene, but this album brings promise for his return.

Longhand, led by Wilson, has been together for fifteen years, recording original music and performing within Canada and Europe. With the support of the Canada Council for the Arts,  Longhand was able to add renowned violinist brothers Jesse Zubot (Tanya Tagaq, Fond of Tigers) and Josh Zubot (In the Sea, Ratchet Orchestra, Land of Kush) to the trio and record ten of Peder’s tunes which were arranged for the quintet by Wilson.

Longhand ‘Plays Long’ touches on many musical genres. The opening track Fantasy Alternatives is a straight, hard hitting rocker with surprising melodic detours. Akimbo has an afro beat vibe. The appearance of the Kora (a West African string instrument) offers a sonic surprise while improvisation takes place over an insistent bass vamp. Soul Eternal, a most pensive composition, is performed by solo guitar. Chicken Grease alternates between funk and swing grooves in the melody and solos. The last track Let’s Call it a Night has the Zubot’s playing an unpredictable creepy melody over guitar loops along with the musical saw and free drum accompaniment. Long’s compositions are severely unpredictable and offer many twist and turns.

Tony Wilson has shared the stage with international artists such as Vinny Golia, William Parker, Wilbert de Joode, Gerry Hemmingway, Han Bennink, Marilyn Lerner, Toby Delius, Benoit Delbecq & Eric Boeren in the US and Europe.