About

Table & Chairs is proud to release the debut full-length LP of Seattle instrumental outfit Hunter Gather - “Getting to Know You”.

This collection of songs carves out a language based on Levi Gillis’ personal musical vocabulary dealing what it means to be a jazz musician in 2017. Hunter Gather is as much a post-rock/indie band as it is a jazz quartet, and Getting to Know You delivers a vibrant album with pieces derived from an interrogation and engagement with a broad range of historical forms. “I Want to Be an American” is a hymnal tune conjuring the beauty of Americana and the confusion and frustration associated with living in the U.S. “Coal Creek” is an interpretation of the folk song based on the rendition by banjo heavyweight, Roscoe Holcomb. “The Expatriot” pays homage to the French Renaissance composer Guillaume de Machaut. The title track, as well as “Let Me Roll My Eyes” explores minimalist rhythmic ideas and fuses them with the group’s subtle improvisational language. “Pay No Mind” melds metal with fragments of Bach’s Goldberg Variations. The lyrical yet aggressive qualities in “Sing” and “Believe You Me” are reminiscent of, and indeed inspired by, some of the great singers of the last 100 years: Patsy Kline, Billie Holiday, Bob Dylan.

The resulting tapestry is a vivid and personal collection of musical and artistic values: rawness vs. the pristine, melody, harmony, sonic exploration. The engagement in these ideas goes beyond the abstract and conveys an emotionality seldom seen in modern jazz.

Hunter Gather includes:
  Levi Gillis - saxophone
  Ronan Delisle - electric guitar
  Evan Woodle - drums and percussion
  Ryan Beckley - electric and baritone guitar
  Cameron Sharif - piano and keyboard
  Alex Oliverio - baritone guitar

Press

“Gillis and his band Hunter Gather summon soulful, ear-worming melodies, made richer and more dynamic as each individual player shares with the rest of the group.” – Alexa Peters, City Arts Magazine

“The second song, ‘Sing’ showed what Hunter Gather was capable of, filling the room with atmospheric sound. The impressive set certainly left the crowd wanting more.” – Harry Varley, Discorder Magazine