Spotlight | 24 Dec, 2002 |

New CD a byproduct of jazz trio’s efforts
By MARC LALONDE – The Chronicle

Three West Island natives who grew up loving jazz music have made it the soundtrack to their lives with their debut album. Byproduct’s self-titled debut, which they launched last weekend downtown, is an example of the progression of jazz, said double bass player Zack Lober

Lober, who accompanies the brother tandem Jimmy (drums) and Chet Doxas (reeds and electronics) in the trio, said although the trio appears to be a traditional jazz ensemble, the reality is they’re quite unique.

“We’ve mixed all kinds of different styles, from more traditional jazz styles to using all kinds of different stuff, like drum n’ bass music. Our influences range from rock to free jazz, to elements of electronic music and manipulation of AM radio sounds. No matter what the style of music we’re talking about, the best levels of any style will and has influenced us,” he said. Chet Doxas said the reason the group so easily slides different sounds into their music is because they have played together for so long.

“Definitely. We’ve played together a ton, and we’ve gotten to know each other real well. When someone brings something new to the table, it’s usually a smooth transition. I might’ve been listening to Indian music, or something that’s obscure, and it makes its way into our sound easily. It’s effortless, because I know how Zack and Jimmy listen to music, and they know how I listen to music. We interpret each other’s musical language that way,” said the Pointe Claire native, now living in Montreal’s St. Henri district. All three members of the group cut their classical-jazz teeth with the CJAD All-City Big Band, led by conductor Denny Christensen and studied at the prestigious Banff International Jazz Workshop, where they studied under such contemporary jazz luminaries as Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas.

“They were a big influence on our music and our performing style,” said Lober, who grew up in Dollard des Ormeaux. The three met just over a decade ago, when Lober began studying music at Lindsay Place High School under the tutelage of the Doxas’ father, George. The three began performing together and haven’t stopped. Since then, Lober and Jimmy Doxas went through Vanier College’s music program before moving on to McGill University. While the three studied jazz performance at McGill, they began playing a weekly show at a downtown restaurant, where they began to refine their sound. The Bistro Duluth sessions allowed Byproduct to become closer, in sound and in relationship.

“It’s interesting the way we perform, because one thing that sets us apart is the way our personalities come out on our instruments and in our music,” Lober said.

“The goal is to sound unique and let our personalities come out, so that people will begin to recognize us, if not by face, then by the way our instruments speak to them,” he added. Chet Doxas echoed those sentiments, saying the trio’s communication is excellent because of their closeness as friends.

“That’s something that’s been important to us. We know each other so well, that when we play, it’s like having a conversation, but with our instruments. It transcends the music,” he said.