San Francisco-based contemporary jazz quartet Times 4 presents a fresh Bay Area blend of uplifting modern jazz with urban flavor

San Francisco-based contemporary jazz quartet Times 4 presents an energetic program of original instrumental compositions. Delivering a fresh Bay Area blend of uplifting modern jazz with urban flavor, Times 4 generates an artful and intense musical interplay steeped in the history of friendship and common roots. Drawing on a wide range of styles including jazz, soul, latin, funk, hip-hop and rock, Times 4 weaves a musical tapestry that expresses their diverse roots in the San Francisco Bay Area. Driving grooves combined with distinctive melodies and dynamic improvisations move the Times 4 audience to tap their feet and feel dance in their bones.

The members of Times 4 have, together and individually, traveled the world contributing their talents to a wide range of musical projects with many renowned artists, and have recorded music on over 20 distinguished record labels. Times 4 developed their sound and approach over the last four years with regular performances at fine clubs, festivals, and events throughout the San Francisco area. Their first CD, Seductivity, continues to generate critical acclaim from listeners and reviewers alike.

Relations

Times 4’s sophomore CD release, Relations, is a project borne of a collaborative and improvisational approach to music. This freestyle approach is common in jazz and hip-hop where the music is inspired by the spontaneous interaction between the band and audience. Times 4 sought to capture this unique form of expression by basing their songwriting process on group-improvised musical motifs. Thus, in part, the title of this CD, “Relations”.

The first track, MO, begins with a musical motif and driving drum beat in 5/4 that Maurice brought in to a writing session as a seed idea. The band improvised complementary elements of melody, chords, and form to complete the song. This method of collaborative composition is a reflection of the band’s intent, or modus operandi, (MO) – a word play on the song title and Maurice’s nickname, Mo.

Mojito is named after the band’s penchant for the drink of same name. The groove, harmony, and melody are a fine distillation of that potent cocktail of classic San Francisco home brew - the melding (more precisely, “muddling” - that’s how you make a mojito...you muddle the mint and sugar) of various styles – jazz, Latin, funk, soul, hip-hop - into a harmonious blend. A gorgeous sax melody carries the tune through an intimate lounge tryst, then spills into a freeform section that weds solid drum and bass groove with a trance-like interplay between sax and keys. The song culminates in a drum feature demonstrating the band’s extraordinary ability to create a powerful space of energetic interplay.

Thickness. A term used to admire all that is rich and full in life. The song begins with a seriously funky bass line Kevin brought in that triggered inspiration for this track. Thickness weaves high and low through haunting melody and dynamic exchanges. It features the band doing what it does best – interacting and playing off of one another’s ideas, generating an improvisational montage.

Cell Phone is a tune based on a freestyle jam we improvised at a performance. The song came together immediately and the band knew it had to be documented, but the only recording device available was a lo-fi cell phone and its limited 10 sec memory... Driven by a recurring Rhodes riff, uplifting rhythm, and catchy melody, Cell Phone is a danceable feel-good tune.

Enterlude (and final track “Exitlude”) are further spontaneous improvisations (with a light sprinkling of overdubs), initiated by Kevin’s inventive bass line. A bass line so thick that it inspired multiple takes, two of which we included on the cd. We had so much fun with this groove that it ended with us all bursting out in laughter.

Full Moon develops in a most Times 4-like approach with a catchy intro, feeding into a lush melody section. It unexpectedly breaks into a street samba-like feel that reflect the melting pot of musical ideas that coalesce so naturally in the SF Bay area. The full moon is also a key theme in our CD’s cover art, entitled “Dreaming”, by our most talented artist friend Lu Hong. It represents the fertility of imagination, cycles of life, and thickness of relations. Please visit Lu Hong’s website at www.luhong.net and view some of his fine art.

Relations, the title track of our CD begins with a solitary, haunting bass voice. Gradually, each instrument joins in conversation to create a reposeful interaction with a beautiful saxophone melody floating atop haunting chords and subtle rhythmic accents. Following a tranquil keyboard interlude, the mood shifts into a hopeful tone of celebration. Led by a soaring saxophone solo and urged on with the band’s dynamic interaction, a spontaneous give-and-take of rhythmic and harmonic ideas feed on each other and build momentum to a synergetic climax. Finally, this journey of relations is concluded by a reprisal of the original theme.

Central Park is another song derived from one of our live improvisations. In performance, for example, we’ll often freestyle songs to tune into the vibe of a room - sometimes an active crowd inspires a groovy beat, other times a calm mood inspires pretty chords. One night in particular folks in the crowd were in a splendid mood, the band had jokes, mojitos were flowing...oops that’s another song... Many fine elements converged to inspire this track. The song was borne in virtually one pass, as if it were writing itself. The joyful melody and positive spirit of Central Park make it a crowd favorite.

Hericane was inspired by band banter over the dynamics of relationships. It craftily moves between 5/4 meter and 4/4 meter without disturbing its pulse. Hericane spins into an energetic saxophone feature in a funky and bluesy vein, then evolving into a drum solo punctuated by solid rhythmic and harmonic background. Hericane was composed during the recording of our first CD, and was our first effort in group-composition.

The Band Members

Times 4 features Lincoln Adler (saxophone), Greg Sankovich (keyboards), Kevin Lofton (bass), and Maurice Miles (drums). Maurice and Kevin are friends and musical collaborators since high school; likewise, Lincoln and Greg continue a musical dialogue that also dates back to their teen years.

Lincoln Adler started playing various musical instruments at the age of 5, eventually being drawn to the saxophone in high school. Lincoln became fascinated by the power of music to communicate feelings across the boundaries of language and culture. He developed his sound playing in local bands, and refined his abilities at the University of California, Berkeley as a member of the UC Jazz Ensembles. He studied with some great teachers, including legendary saxophonist Joe Henderson and local hero Hal Stein. In Los Angeles he became an in-demand session player and composer/producer for TV and film. He released four albums under his own name as well as one with the successful band Rain-bo Tribe. Lincoln has performed and recorded with many artists including actor/pianist Jeff Goldblum, kd lang, and Olivia Newton John. His musical influences include Sonny Rollins, Johnny Griffin, Grover Washington Jr., Stanley Turrentine, Gustav Mahler and Meshell Ndegeocello.

Greg Sankovich began music with classical piano when he was six years old and later studied with some of the finest jazz and Latin pianists in the San Francisco area, including pianist/educator Mark Levine. As a teen, Greg performed out in the local music scene with a variety of jazz, R&B, and dance bands, including international blues artist Brenda Boykin, and was also active in the UC Jazz Ensembles. Greg lived in Tokyo for over ten years, performing with many top Japanese artists including jazz-fusion group Taikun and Takekawa Yukihide, as well as contributing his sound to many TV and radio productions. Since moving back to the SF Bay area in 1994, Greg has performed in a wide range of musical projects from jazz to house, hip-hop to pop. His musical inspirations include Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Chester Thompson, and Chuck Leavell.

Kevin Lofton is the root and harmonic foundation of Times 4. A San Jose native, Kevin has been playing bass since his early teens. Listening to everything from gospel to hip-hop to metal and jazz, Kevin strives to bring each of these flavors to the Times 4 table. Career highlights include touring the U.S. and Canada with Protégé, Stevie B, and Jahi and the Life along with drummer Maurice. Their years of musical friendship produce a rhythmic conception and energetic foundation from which Times 4 launches their adventurous improvisations. Kevin’s bass influences include Marcus, Victor, Bootsy, Jaco, and Stanley.

Also raised in San Jose, California, Maurice Miles is the heartbeat of Times 4. Mo combines complex elements of jazz, funk and hip-hop in his playing to create a sophisticated, syncopated backbeat. The desire to lay down the groove called out to Maurice from an early age. Mostly self-taught, Maurice’s deep-pocket groove emanates from a combination of feel and his appreciation of many different styles of music. Maurice has played in a diverse range of musical projects, including the R&B band Protégé, acid jazz group Congo Square, and he has toured and recorded with Kofy Brown. His musical inspirations are Dennis Chambers, Vinnie Colaiuta, Will Kennedy, Billy Cobham and Jack DeJohnette, to name a few.