Jon Anderson & Roine Stolt Team Up for Invention of Knowledge

Anderson / Stolt, the brand new duo of legendary Yes vocalist & singer/songwriter Jon Anderson and progressive rock veteran Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings, Transatlantic), have announced the release of their collaborative album Invention of Knowledge on June 24th, 2016 via InsideOut Music.
The idea came to life swiftly off the back of a performance from Roine's band Transatlantic, and Jon Anderson on the Progressive Nation at Sea Cruise in 2014, and was initially instigated by InsideOut Music label boss Thomas Waber.  The duo set about crafting new music in the spirit of early epic works such as Tales from Topographic Oceans, Awaken & Olias of Sunhillow, but giving it a modern twist.
Written & recorded over the course of 1 and a half years, the tracks have been in a state of constant change as Roine and Jon swapped & refined ideas by sending tracks to each other via the internet. In March 2015, an ensemble was put together by Roine to realize the music live in the studio. Joining him there was Tom Brislin (who played on the Yes Symphonic tour) &  Lalle Larsson on keys, Jonas Reingold & Michael Stolt on bass and Felix Lehrmann on drums. The sessions were also bolstered by appearances from Daniel Gildenlöw, Nad Sylvan, Anja Obermayer, Maria Rerych and Kristina Westas, who all provided backing vocals.

The full track-listing for the album is as follows:
1. Knowing 17:45
2. Everybody Heals 13:20
3. Invention Of Knowledge 23:10
4. Know 11.20

Keep an eye out for more news in the coming weeks!

Anderson / Stolt online:www.jonanderson.com
www.theflowerkings.se
www.facebook.com/theflowerkings

AndersonPonty Band to Tour North America

In support of their critically acclaimed CD/DVD release Better Late Than Never, the AndersonPonty Band, featuring music icons Jon Anderson and Jean Luc Ponty, will be touring North America in Spring 2016! The band played a series of successful US dates in the Fall of 2015 and are excited to bring their music to the fans once again.

AndersonPonty Band tour dates:
Apr 28 - Fox Tucson Theatre - Tucson, AZ Tickets
Apr 30 - The Canyon Theater - Agoura Hills, CA Tickets
May 01 - The Grove of Anaheim - Anaheim, CA Tickets
May 04 - Boulder Theater - Boulder, CO Tickets
May 06 - Majestic Theatre - Dallas, TX Tickets
May 07 - One World Theatre - Austin, TX Tickets
May 10 - Ames Center – Burnsville, MN Tickets
May 11 - The Arcada Theatre - St. Charles, IL Tickets
May 13 - The Pageant - St. Louis, MO Tickets
May 14 - Barrymore Theatre - Madison, WI Tickets
May 17 - Riviera Theatre - N. Tonawanda, NY Tickets
May 18 - Tarrytown Music Hall - Tarrytown, NY Tickets
May 20 - Cabot Performing Arts Center - Beverly, MA Tickets
May 21 - Calvin Theater - Northampton, MA Tickets
May 23 - The Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT Tickets
May 25 – The Egg – Hart Theatre – Albany, NY Tickets
May 26 – St. Denis Theatre – Montreal, Canada Tickets
May 27 – Palais Montcalm – Quebec, Canada Tickets

One of the most eagerly awaited releases of 2015, the AndersonPonty Band's Better Late Than Never features outstanding performances by the group from September 2014 at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colorado, as well as some innovative production.

Along with some breathtaking new musical compositions, Better Late Than Never also showcases rearrangements of classic Yes hits like Owner of a Lonely Heart, Roundabout and Wonderous Stories. The album also includes some of Jean Luc Ponty's beloved compositions, with Jon's lyrical vocals and melodies enhancing the music and creating a very special and unique sound such as Infinite Mirage a new song incorporating Jean Luc's classic tune Mirage.

The AndersonPonty Band also includes Jamie Glaser on guitars (Jean Luc Ponty, Chick Corea, Bryan Adams and Lenny White); Wally Minko on keyboards (Pink, Toni Braxton, Jean Luc Ponty, Tom Jones, Gregg Rolie and Barry Manilow); Keith Jones on bass (Airto, Santana, Kenny Loggins and Jean Luc Ponty); and Rayford Griffin on drums and percussion (Stanley Clarke Band, George Duke, Jean Luc Ponty and Michael Jackson). The band visit the music created by Jon Anderson and Jean Luc Ponty over the years with new arrangements, virtuosic performances and new energy.

Anderson Ponty Band to Tour US and Canada

The Anderson Ponty Band have announced a series of dates across the United States and Canada slated for October and November 2015.

A while back we announced that Jon Anderson (Yes) and Jean-Luc Ponty (Frank Zappa Band) had teamed up to record an album. An unusual pairing to be sure. But the results are in and the as-yet-untitled album is set to be released in time for their North American Tour.

The band's lineup is: Wally Minko on keyboards, Jamie Dunlap on guitaras, Baron Browne on bass, and Rayford Griffin on drums. Pre-sale tickets will be available for all venues this Wesdnesday (the 29th of July) at 10 am.

The Anderson Ponty Tour dates are:

Oct 27 - Keswick Theatre - Glenside, PA, USA
Oct 29 - Count Basie Theatre - Monmouth, NJ, USA
Oct 30 - Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT, USA
Nov 1 - Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead - Munhall, PA, USA
Nov 3 - The Arcadia Theatre - Lake Charles, IL, USA
Nov 4 - Performing Arts - Milwaukee, WI, USA
Nov 6 - Music Hall Center - Detroit, MI, USA
Nov 7 - Danforth Music Hall - Toronto, ON, Canada
Nov 10 - Howard Theatre - Washington, DC, USA
Nov 11 - The Paramount - Huntington, NY, USA
Nov 13 - Society For Ethical Culture - New York, NY, USA
Nov 14 - Berklee Performance Center - Boston, MA, USA
Nov 17 - Regency Ballroom - San Francisco, CA, USA
Nov 18 - Crest Theatre - Sacramento, CA, USA
Nov 20 - Saban Theatre - Beverly Hills, CA, USA
Nov 21 - Talking Stick Resort & Casino - Scottsdale, AZ, USA

Jon Anderson's "Mysteries of Music" Special

Singer/songwriter Jon Anderson's “Mysteries of Music” special is now on Soundcloud.

In this 40-minute special, Jon talks about his own musical development as well as his appreciation for World Music and the sounds of nature. The soundtrack includes many examples of these topics, as well as the Yes masterpiece Awaken.

To listen go to: https://soundcloud.com/jon-anderson-online/jon-anderson-mysteries-of-music-special

In other news, Gonzo Multimedia recently released of a new charity single The Family Circle by Jon Anderson and former Counting Crows bassist Matt Malley. The money received from the single will go to the following charities: Flutie Foundation – (Jon Anderson), Sahaja Yoga Meditation – (Matt Malley) and National Autistic Society (Rob Ayling, GONZO Multimedia president).

Listen to a sample of the track here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hATdN-XMBSQ

To purchase Jon Anderson & Matt Malley's Family Circle: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/family-circle-single/id911786898


For more information:
Jon Anderson's official website: www.JonAnderson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJonAnderson?ref=br_tf

UPF Announce US Release of Debut Album

United Progressive Fraternity recently announced the release of their debut album Fall In Love With The World for the 24th of November, 2014 in the US. The release will arrive as a jewel case CD and digital download.

The full track-listing can be found below:
1.  We Only Get One World (Overture)
2.  Choices
3.  Intersection
4.  The Water
5.  Don't Look Back - Turn Left
6.  Travelling Man (The Story Of ESHU)
7.  Fall In Love With The World
8.  Religion Of War
9.  The Water (Alternative Mix) (CD only)

You can check out a video for the track The Water featuring Jon Anderson (Yes) here: http://youtu.be/Fz2nYmeG7R0

Formed from the ashes of respected Australian progressive rockers Unitopia, the band sees Matt Williams, Dave Hopgood, Tim Irrgang & Mark 'Truey' Trueack joined by Guy Manning (Manning, The The Tangent), Daniel Mash (Maschine, The Tangent), & Marek Arnold (Toxic Smile, Seven Steps to the Green Door, Cyril, Flaming Row). The forthcoming album also features guest appearances from Jon Anderson of Yes, as well as Steve Hackett of Genesis.

The band will embark on their first live dates later this year, starting with Summer's End Festival in the UK and continuing into Europe in October.

The full list of dates can be found below:
27th September 2014 - Summer's End Festival, Chepstow - England
2nd October 2014 - The Barge Antipode, Paris - France
3rd October 2014 - Poppodium Nieuwe Nor, Heerlen - Netherlands
4th October 2014 - Chez Paulette, Nancy - France
5th October 2014 - T Blok, Nieuwekerk Aan Deijsel - Netherlands
7th October 2014 - Blues Café Nieuwstraat 74A, Apeldoorn - Netherlands
10th October 2014 - The Bedford Balham, London - England
11th October 2014 - The Wesley Arts Centre, Maltby - England
12th October 2014 - Cathouse, Glasgow - Scotland

Look out for more information in the coming weeks!

United Progressive Fraternity online:www.facebook.com/UPFrat
http://www.unitedprogressivefraternity.com/

United Progressive Fraternity Sign to InsideOutMusic

InsideOutMusic are very pleased to announce the signing of United Progressive Fraternity for the release of their debut album Fall In Love With The World this November. Formed from the ashes of respected Australian progressive rockers Unitopia, the band sees Matt Williams, Dave Hopgood, Tim Irrgang & Mark 'Truey' Trueack joined by Guy Manning (Manning, The The Tangent), Daniel Mash (Maschine, The Tangent), & Marek Arnold. The forthcoming album also features guest appearances from Jon Anderson of Yes, as well as Steve Hackett of Genesis.

The band had this to say about the signing & tour:

'We are absolutely thrilled to be signed to such a prestigious label as InsideOut and look forward to a long & fruitful partnership in the future. We are very proud of what we have achieved with the making of this, the debut album from UPF.   Everyone has worked incredibly hard to bring it together, and while the road we travelled to get here was a real challenge, the journey has been worth every step.   We have strived to create a richer, bolder, grittier sound trying to evolve a little more, and we truly believe we have succeeded in this. But none of it would have been possible without the commitment, passion and belief in the vision of the Fraternity, of every member of the band and the newly formed UPF family so now....we really are, all parts of the whole!!

We are very excited to be taking UPF to the road with our Promotional UK/European tour in Autumn, kicking off at the 2014 Summers End X Festival where we have the prime Saturday night spot on 27th September. We will be playing tracks from the new album and Unitopia fans will not be disappointed as we will be playing selected favourites from the Unitopia back catalogue. We are very much looking forward to all playing live together for the very first time! We intend to give our audience a musical journey they will not forget and hope that they too, will not just fall in love with our music but fall in love with the world!'

The band will embark on their first live dates later this year, starting with Summer's End Festival in the UK and continuing into Europe in October. The full list of dates can be found below:

27 Sept 2014 - Summer's End Festival, Chepstow - England
02 Oct 2014 - The Barge Antipode, Paris - France
03 Oct 2014 - Poppodium Nieuwe Nor, Heerlen - Netherlands
04 Oct 2014 - Chez Paulette, Nancy - France
05 Oct 2014 - T Blok, Nieuwekerk Aan Deijsel - Netherlands
07 Oct 2014 - Blues Café Nieuwstraat 74A, Apeldoorn - Netherlands
10 Oct 2014 - The Bedford Balham, London - England
11 Oct 2014 - The Wesley Arts Centre, Maltby - England
12 Oct 2014 - Cathouse, Glasgow - Scotland

Fall In Love with the World track list:
1. We Only Get One World (Overture)
2. Choices
3. Intersection
4. The Water
5. Don't Look Back
6. Travelling Man (The Story of Eshu)
7. Fall in Love with the World
8. Religions of War

Look out for more information in the coming weeks!

United Progressive Fraternity online:
www.facebook.com/UPFrat
http://www.unitedprogressivefraternity.com/

Jon Anderson and Jean-Luc Ponty Announce Collaboration

 

Music legends Jon Anderson and Jean-Luc Ponty announce the formation of a new ensemble - The Anderson Ponty Band! Yes's original singer/songwriter for 35 years, Jon Anderson has had a successful solo career, which includes working with such notable music artists as Vangelis, Kitaro, and Milton Nascimento. International jazz superstar Jean-Luc Ponty is a pioneer and undisputed master of violin in the arena of jazz and rock. He is widely regarded as an innovator who has applied his unique visionary spin that has expanded the vocabulary of modern music. Together these two music icons form a musical synergy that is unparalleled!

“A breakthrough feeling came as I sang with Jean-Luc's music, to be in a band again is very exciting on many levels, we will play and sing our way around the world and have fun, for music is pleasure, music is all that is, music is God” - Jon Anderson

The Anderson Ponty Band also includes Jamie Dunlap on guitars - well known as a film and television composer, most notably 'South Park'; Wally Minko on keyboards - virtuoso player and composer who has performed and recorded with many worldwide stars; Baron Browne on bass who has played with Steve Smith, Billy Cobham and Jean-Luc Ponty; and Rayford Griffin on drums and percussion, who has played with Stanley Clarke Band, George Duke, Jean-Luc Ponty and Michael Jackson. The band will visit the music created by Jon Anderson and Jean-Luc Ponty over the years with new arrangements, virtuosic performances and new energy, while creating new compositions as well.

The Anderson Ponty Band have been writing and arranging old favorites during the past three months. They will be in residence for three weeks in September at Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colorado rehearsing, recording and playing a public performance on Saturday September 20th. An album will be finished in Los Angeles and is scheduled for release in early 2015. Also, a videography documenting the making of the album will be released as well as videos and performances. A world tour beginning in March 2015 is in the planning stages.

The Anderson Ponty Band announce the launch of a Kickstarter campaign today July 25th beginning at 2PM Eastern. The campaign will encourage fans and friends to become a stakeholder in the project. Numerous tiers of donations will be rewarded by album downloads, premium CD/DVD packages, VIP ticket access, merchandising, special one of a kind collectibles, special meet and greets with the band and much more.

Kickstarter campaign: http://bit.ly/apband2014

Anderson Ponty Band Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andersonpontyband

Jon Anderson official website: www.jonanderson.com
Jean-Luc Ponty official website: www.ponty.com

Mark Trueack (ex-Unitopia) Reveals New Project

 

The former singer, songwriter and co-producer of well-respected Australian band Unitopia has announced the formation of the United Progressive Fraternity with the release of a video for a song called “The Water”.

The idea for the project started in July 2011, while working on the “Covered Mirror” album. Mark Trueack and Stephen Layton started to develop songs ideas and arrangements for a concept album to be called “The Hope”. While working on this project Stephen realised that these could be a real opportunity here to bring the voices of Mark and Jon Anderson together. The piece selected to test this collaborative prospect was to be “The Water”.

Over the next six months, Mark started speaking with artists from around the world that he felt would complement his voice and the new sound he was looking for. These included Hasse Froberg (The Flower Kings), Nikki Squire (Esquire), Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel), Ian Ritchie (Roger Waters Band), Guy Manning (Manning, The Tangent), John Jowitt (IQ, Frost*, Arena), Billy Sherwood (Yes, Circa) and Tom Brislin.

Mark’s vision for the underlying musical content of UPF music is that it will not be that dissimilar to that of Unitopia, however, the sound will be much edgier and less keyboard dependant.

Having several producers and songwriters within the core group will certainly give the listener a banquet of textures and moods! Unlike Unitopia though, UPF will always invite special guests aboard for albums. This ‘open door’ policy will allow Mark to use producers and musicians as the music dictates, whilst also allowing each and every musician involved a chance to put their own individual stamp on the music.

“Fall in Love with the World” will be the first UPF release, containing over 60 minutes of music that will take the listener on a journey of self-belief. The album will be officially launches at the UK’s Summers End Festival in autumn 2014.

Track listing:

1. Overture
2. Spinning on the Surface
3. How Long
4. Don’t Look Back
5. Crossroads
6. Water
7. Fall in Love with the World

To learn more about the United Progressive Fraternity:
Website: http://unitedprogressivefraternity.com/site/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UPFrat

Watch "The Water" video, featuring Mark Trueack and Jon Anderson:

Yes Recording New Album

Ahead of their Cruise to the Edge shows, Yes are in a studio in Los Angeles, recording new material under the watchful eye of producer Roy Thomas Baker. This will be Jon Davison's first time recording new material with Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Alan White, and Geoff Downes. The previous album, Fly from Here, had Benoît David on vocals.

The last time Roy Thomas Baker worked with the band was in 1980 during the aborted Paris Sessions which ended up with Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman leaving the band. The remaining members then returned to England and ended up recruiting Geoff Downes and Trevor Horne and produced Drama.

Still, Thomas Baker met again with Jon Anderson, producing Jon's Christmas themed album Three Ships. He is also famous for having produced Queen in the early days up to and including Jazz.

Yes have posted about six pictures of them in the studio on their Facebook page. They have also added another performance ahead of their Cruise. This new date is at Sands, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on the 5th of April. After the Cruise they will embark on the European leg of their "Triple Album Tour" where they play The Yes Album, Close to the Edge, and Going for the One in their entirety.

Triple Album Tour of Canada:
March 19, 2014: Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada
March 20, 2014: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
March 21, 2014: Prospera Place, Kelowna, BC, Canada
March 23, 2014: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary, AB, Canada
March 24, 2014: Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton, AB, Canada
March 26, 2014: Pantages Playhouse Theatre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
March 29, 2014: GM Centre, Oshawa, ON, Canada
March 30, 2014: Southam Hall @ National Arts Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
March 31, 2014: Le Capitol de Québec, Québec City, QC, Canada
April 2, 2014: Hamilton Palce Theatre, Hamilton, ON, Canada

April 4, 2014: Borgota Events Center, Atlantic City, NJ, USA
April 5, 2014: Sands, Bethlehem, PA, USA

April 7-12, 2014: Cruise to the Edge II, Caribbean

April/May/June - Tour of Europe.
 

Jon Anderson to Play Florida, Iceland and Progressive Nation at Sea

Legendary vocalist Jon Anderson, Yes's singer/songwriter for 35 years along with his successful work with Vangelis, Kitaro, and Milton Nascimento, will be performing shows in Miami Beach and Clearwater, Florida, as well as Iceland and the Progressive Nation At Sea 2014 cruise. The shows promise to deliver an exciting mixture of material from Jon Anderson's prolific solo career, collaborations with Vangelis and classic Yes songs, along with new compositions, highlighted by humorous and enlightening stories told by Jon.

November 10, 2013: Colony Theatre, Miami Beach, FL (Tickets)

Show times: 6:00 PM & 9:30 PM

 

November 15, 2013: Conference and Concert Hall, in Reykjavik, Iceland (Tickets)

Show time: 7:30 PM

 

February 15, 2014: Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Florida with a symphony orchestra! He will be opening for Alan Parsons Project With Symphony Orchestra. 

Jon will also be touring the US in March 2014. For tour dates and ticket info please visit: http://jonanderson.com/tour.html

 

Lastly, much to the excitement of Yes fans around the world, the legendary band has finally been nominated for the 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Says Jon, "Wonderful news, all you great Fans deserve to see YES in the Hall of Fame. YES music is very special, very unique, and I'm a fan of what we did as a band, no matter what happens, we still created some of the most wonderful music ever, well I'm blessed to have been part of the Adventure....so excited...have fun!"

 

To vote for YES to be inducted into the 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: 

http://m.rollingstone.com/music/news/vote-for-the-2014-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-inductees-20131016