Flex

Flex on stage at Dazzle


Active: 2017 to present

Recordings:
   Resist the Eel Panda (Released in January, 2020)
   Slate & Quartz (Release date: July 15, 2022)


Flex portrait


Dru, Gonzalo, Art

Personnel:
   Art Lande (piano),
   Gonalzo Teppa (bass),
   Dru Heller (drums)

 

Flex is a band formed in 2017 that embodies flexibility, flexion of muscle and mind, the reflex of heart and mood, and the inflection of a wide range of musical influences. Featuring pianist Art Lande, bassist Gonzalo Teppa, and drummer Dru Heller, the group embraces the myriad of possible textures and colors available to this time-honored instrumentation.

The bass takes over the theme in an arco fashion, a drum solo appears at an unexpected moment, forms are suspended or changed at will, a quiet piece gets funky or becomes a 5/4 for salsa dance. Each band member is ready to bring his musical wishes to the table at any moment, and the group embraces and commits to the new direction.

The repertoire of the band includes compositions from its members, arrangements of jazz standards, open improvisations, and tunes called-out or arrived-at that the ensemble has never played together before. So there is an atmosphere of innovation and tradition.

Flex at Notably Fine Audio studios


photo by: Colin Bricker, Gonzalo Teppa

Most recently, the band has consistently played at a very high level. Slate & Quartz is our second album and will be released this summer (2022). It is a milestone in a series of successful events including a night of European Jazz at the Muse Performance Space (our favorite venue) and a day of workshops followed by a concert at the University of Wyoming.

Flex continues to rehearse regularly, explore new music, and is currently working to do a Northwestern US tour in the fall of 2022.

Come and listen, take the ride, and flex your sensual, personal and musical consciousness with us -- we invite you to share in our band's joyful, energetic spirit.

 

News

Slate & Quartz album cover image

July 15, 2022
Slate & Quartz, the anticipated next album from Flex, is ready! It is available now for digital download and listening/streaming at Art's Bandcamp site as well as streaming services worldwide.

Slate & Quartz features some of Art's older and unrecorded pieces, including Pathways (for Bill Evans) and Underbrush (written for and first played by Steve Swallow). This album also includes beautiful pieces written by Gonzalo and Dru, as well as pieces written while wintering in Arizona. Two tracks also feature the strong tenor sax of our friend Sam[uel] Williams.

Flex with Sam at Notably Fine Audio studios


Dru, Art, Gonzalo, Sam
photo by: Colin Bricker, Gonzalo Teppa


May 5, 2022
Slate & Quartz album cover image    Slate & Quartz   Artwork and layout.

Apr 5, 2022
February studio time was delayed, but today was day #2. We're finished recording and so pleased with the quality and spirit of music in this new album. Slate & Quartz coming soon.

Mar 26, 2022
Flex is returning to the Muse Performance Space for a live concert. Lots of new music and some still-young tunes you haven't heard. Make it a date. Flex, live at the Muse, Jul 17, 2022.

Jan 26, 2022
The band is playing at such a high level, let's record! Flex is going into the studio next month. Get ready for another album of tunes with exceptional flexion!

Nov 23, 2021
Flex will be in Laramie, WY, on April 7, 2022, to provide the students in the University of Wyoming Jazz Program with a day of workshops and an evening concert.

Oct 17, 2021
Flex playing an evening from Art's Euro Jazz book, that unique blend of classical music, early folk melodies and unique harmonic colors. Join us at the Muse on Dec 19, 2021, and explore some evocative ideas for musical flexion featuring composers from France, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland.

Jul 18, 2021
Flex+ playing all new compositions live, at the Muse. Ka, Slate and Quartz, Radiation 28, Teppaware, Chingachgook, For an Irishman, Rustle, Plotzkin's Revenge, Perculator, Hymn for Tim and Aiming Beyond. A stellar evening of music.

May, 2021
Tim Wendel added to Flex = Flex+.
Tim's masterful and imaginative guitar is added to Flex for Art's new compositions from the Arizona desert.

January 21, 2020
Resist the Eel Panda - the first recording from Flex is now released!

Last fall, the band played a fantastic concert at Caffe Sole shortly before heading into the studio to record their first album. Those attending that concert know very well how excellent this album is. It turned-out great!