Bio
DYALEK – A New Spin on Jazz
Music is a universal language and Dyalek is its new dialect.
Dyalek is a musical endeavour that arises from the minds of two creative musicians: Denis Haché (piano) and Andrew Letourneau (drums). The pair grew up in the same hometown in Northern New-Brunswick. After more than a decade of exploring the world independently, their paths cross again in Ottawa and eventually play together for the first time. Soon they begin working on original compositions and as a matter of course, their musical aspirations lead them to the conception of a jazz group named Dyalek.
The sound of Dyalek is inspired both from classical and new jazz music. These two genres are intelligently reconciled thanks to compositions rising in the no man’s land that separates structured music and chaotic improvisation.
The raison d’être of the group is to create and play music that has something more than the prescribed and formalistic ways of what is abound in the music industry. For example, Dyalek’s compositions encompass odd meters, polyrhythm and polytonality. Playing in 5, 7 or 13 beats per measure creates some brilliant accent in the beat and adds a slight tension to the feel of the music. At the same time, the interweaving rhythms and tones adds richness and complexity to the groove and brings great synergy. The result is music that is challenging and exciting for the players, and simply fun and bewitching for their listeners.
Haché and Letourneau complement each other in several ways. For instance, where Haché brings the key melodies and a poetic sensibility, Letourneau brings the spontaneity and vitality. This harmonization is heard and felt each time a dialogue starts between them, not only does it transcend their strong musical thoughts but it also communicates with the audience in such a manner that listeners want to get up and join the musical frenzy.
An interesting feature about Dyalek is that the group functions like a musical collective. Some would compare this (for the better of worse) as the musical equivalent of a promiscuous relationship. The core duo invites a line-up of guest musicians to perform with them. This brings freshness which enhances the inventiveness and novelty of their acts. It definitively guarantees a unique sound at every performance.
In 2007 Dyalek recorded its debut-album Misinterpretations. It contains 6 excellent compositions which take the listener for a refreshing ride. It translates a rich dialogue between the piano and the drums, as well as special guest instruments such as the saxophone, the vibes, the bass and the trumpet. It evokes a range of emotions that are fresh, inventive but devious. Each piece takes shape with a pleasant dose of freedom, self-expression and experimentation. The album is recorded live off-the-floor; in real time, with no special effects. The result is an album that speaks music, straight out!