Darts is a collection of original compositions showcasing the people we meet and the relationships that follow. Soon after moving to New York City from his native California, pianist Arnie Sainz quickly came to terms with the myriad relationships that eight million people crammed together pose. Through these ten explorations, this album inspects the emotional impact of the small interpersonal moments we share every day: the trajectory of endless darts, webbing and weaving us together.
In the spirit of spontaneous interactions, this record was the result of the quick friendship developed between Sainz, bassist Marshal Herridge, and drummer Tony Moreno. Sainz had found kinship with Herridge as a fellow student at NYU, and bonded with Moreno (former student of Elvin Jones) while writing his thesis on the drummer. The three connected over stories about people they had met over their combined years, and started writing pieces caricaturing those relationships.
Penning the lion’s share of the tracks, Sainz cuts his stormy melodies with lyrical improvisation and accompaniment throughout. Herridge and Moreno dutifully anchor the compositions, laying the foundation for Sainz to shine and occasionally wandering into the thicket themselves. Angular and shimmering, this album finds the trio dancing among the trajectories between all of us and themselves.
Released by Adhyarôpa Records
Tracks
One's Comeuppance (06:13)
Bedfellows (07:10)
Darts (07:31)
Two Ships (07:52)
Street Meat (04:54)
Aubergine (05:23)
La Pampanga (06:45)
Change of Heart (05:38)
B&H (04:21)
Every Morning (06:35)
Length: 62:22
Meet The Trio
Tony Moreno, a former student of Coltrane-drummer Elvin Jones, belongs to today’s masters of his instrument.
Since his lifelong apprenticeship under Elvin started at age 11, Tony has long walked among giants rubbing shoulders with drumming greats such as Tootie Heath, Art Blakey, and Tony Williams to name a few. He has appeared on over 150 records and toured over 30 countries with artists including Barry Harris, Mal Waldron, Ravi Coltrane, and many more.
His double LP "Short Stories" was voted Best Recording of the year by The New York Jazz Record (2016), and received 4 1/2 stars in Downbeat. As an educator, Tony has been a professor teaching private lessons and ensembles for over 20 years at the New York University Jazz Studies and Performance Program, the Columbia University Louis Armstrong Jazz Program, and the City College of New York Jazz Program . Tony Moreno endorses Paiste cymbals (Kelly Paiste) and Le Soprano drums (Marco Gambarisio). Tony Moreno is a Mayimba Records Recording Artist.
Marshal Herridge is a Vancouver-born jazz bassist currently residing in New York. He has shared the stage with some of North America's preeminent jazz musicians including Anthony Wonsey, Andre White, Kirk MacDonald, Joe Sullivan, Kevin Dean, Al McClean, Remi Bolduc, Dave Laing, Lorne Lofsky, Peter Bernstein, John Scofield, Donny McCaslin, Dick Oatts, Ari Hoenig, Sam Kirmayer, Caity Gyorgy, Tony Moreno, Pat Labarbera, Larry Goldings, Brian Dickinson amongst others.
He holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Humber College, a Master of Music Degree from McGill University in Jazz Performance and an Artist Diploma in Jazz Instrumental Performance from New York University. His debut album Chapter One (2019) pays homage to his heroes Scott LaFaro and Paul Chambers.
Since then, he has recorded and appeared on numerous recordings, including a recent collaboration with JUNO Award winning Canadian vocalist Caity Gyorgy on his most recent single “A Day Too Late,” drawing influence from Antonio Carlos Jobim. Marshal’s original compositions have been spun on numerous radio programs including CBC Music and he has been featured on various editorial Spotify playlists.
Arnie Sainz is a pianist, composer, and educator based in New York City. Drawing inspiration from his firm roots in the San Francisco Bay Area, Arnie’s voice spans ensembles and genres, finding his footing in both large-scale new music compositions and intimate improvised music settings. Arnie stays active as a performer all around the city, as well as a composer/arranger for numerous groups worldwide.
As an arranger, Arnie has been working extensively with vocalists, jazz orchestras, and chamber ensembles. His arrangements for jazz orchestra and strings were recently performed for millions by the TPO Big Band in Taipei for the 2023 Taiwan National Day ceremonies. These arrangements will be featured on TPO’s upcoming album.
Apart from his work in the live music world, Arnie has also scored for animated and live action short films including Present Tense (2023), The Longest Memory (2023), and First Born (2020) which went on to win 37 laurels at festivals worldwide. He is currently pursuing an M.M. in Jazz Piano Performance at New York University, where he also works as an adjunct instructor of pop/jazz piano. Arnie was under the tutelage of Alan Ferber and Ed Neumeister, Michael Wolff and Lenny White. While completing his B.M. in Music Education at San Jose State University, Arnie studied jazz piano under Dahveed Behroozi, and composition under Dr. Aaron Lington.