 | |  | |  | |  |
| Antwon Owens |
Three Squared is a quartet formed out of love for freedom in music-making. A
predominant feature of our writing is improvisation, a concept drawn largely from the
Jazz tradition, but blended with countless influences from our individual musical paths.
Antwon Owens, Matt King, Jim Disner and Nathan Walter make up the ensemble; a
fresh fusion of the "nu" jazz sound in America. The original music is pulled from the
exotic sounds of Persia, Japan, Latin America, House Music & Blues; then infused with
the feel of Jazz!
Three Squared began performing as a quartet in 2006. We met as students at
Metropolitan State College of Denver, and studied with the fabulous trumpet player Ron
Miles and extraordinary saxophonist/composer Fred Hess. Heavily influenced by Ron,
Fred, and other modern instrumental artists such as John Zorn, Bill Frisell, and Don
Byron, we hope to perpetuate the evolution of American music through composition
and performance.
All of the members of the quartet are composers with distinct styles, and
complementary improvisational techniques. Not only are improvised melodic solos
different every time, but the tempos, rhythms, harmonies and accompaniments often
are too. Jumping off from the tradition of Ornette-style group ad-libbing we incorporate
ethnic scales and rhythms, as well as classical, electronic, ambient and rock aesthetics
into highly sympathetic improvisations within the compositions.
As an ensemble our central objective is to demonstrate to an audience the way jazz
has influenced other styles of music. We achieve this by performing in multi-bill
concerts with artists from different genres. This has also helped us appreciate how
other musics influence and inspire the progression of jazz as an artform.
Instrumentation:
Matt King-alto sax; Jim Disner-guitar; Antwon Owens-drums; Nathan Walter-bass
predominant feature of our writing is improvisation, a concept drawn largely from the
Jazz tradition, but blended with countless influences from our individual musical paths.
Antwon Owens, Matt King, Jim Disner and Nathan Walter make up the ensemble; a
fresh fusion of the "nu" jazz sound in America. The original music is pulled from the
exotic sounds of Persia, Japan, Latin America, House Music & Blues; then infused with
the feel of Jazz!
Three Squared began performing as a quartet in 2006. We met as students at
Metropolitan State College of Denver, and studied with the fabulous trumpet player Ron
Miles and extraordinary saxophonist/composer Fred Hess. Heavily influenced by Ron,
Fred, and other modern instrumental artists such as John Zorn, Bill Frisell, and Don
Byron, we hope to perpetuate the evolution of American music through composition
and performance.
All of the members of the quartet are composers with distinct styles, and
complementary improvisational techniques. Not only are improvised melodic solos
different every time, but the tempos, rhythms, harmonies and accompaniments often
are too. Jumping off from the tradition of Ornette-style group ad-libbing we incorporate
ethnic scales and rhythms, as well as classical, electronic, ambient and rock aesthetics
into highly sympathetic improvisations within the compositions.
As an ensemble our central objective is to demonstrate to an audience the way jazz
has influenced other styles of music. We achieve this by performing in multi-bill
concerts with artists from different genres. This has also helped us appreciate how
other musics influence and inspire the progression of jazz as an artform.
Instrumentation:
Matt King-alto sax; Jim Disner-guitar; Antwon Owens-drums; Nathan Walter-bass
Three Squared official website
thr33squared.net
thr33squared.net
Jim Disner is a guitarist and composer in Denver, Colorado. Mr. Disner has been involved
with music his entire life. He studied jazz and music theory at Metropolitan State College of
Denver in the late nineties where he met his mentor, the jazz-trumpet innovator and
composer, Ron Miles. From Ron he learned a broadminded approach to improvisation
and composition. During these years he studied guitar with Jerry Hahn (Gary Burton, John
Handy), Dale Bruning (a teacher to Bill Frisell) and theory with Fred Hess.
In 2002 Jim teamed up with fellow Ron Miles devotee Antwon Owens, a phenomenally
gifted and insightful drummer. Together these young men performed with or alongside
such notables as Stanley Jordan, The Bad Plus, The Under Dog Five, Ron Miles, Fred
Hess, Rene Marie, Keith Oxman, Shamie Royston, Mark Sabatella, Joshua Trinidad,
Tonali, Joe Bonner and many more.
Disner’s 2006 debut release, Persistence, borrows from rock, eastern European folk and
avant-garde as much as it does jazz. Clarinet-adventurer Andrew Alikhanov provides an
unmistakable Russian flavor. The ever inventive bassist Nathan Walter, and soul-infused
tenor sax man Greg Warren join Disner and Owens on this aural delicacy.
Together with Owens, Walter and Matt King (an alto sax virtuoso with a come-at-it-
sideways improvisational approach), Jim’s current project is Three Squared, a fresh fusion
of the "nu" jazz sound in America. They just released their new album Let’s Play Ping
Pong, and have been on tour in the U.S.
with music his entire life. He studied jazz and music theory at Metropolitan State College of
Denver in the late nineties where he met his mentor, the jazz-trumpet innovator and
composer, Ron Miles. From Ron he learned a broadminded approach to improvisation
and composition. During these years he studied guitar with Jerry Hahn (Gary Burton, John
Handy), Dale Bruning (a teacher to Bill Frisell) and theory with Fred Hess.
In 2002 Jim teamed up with fellow Ron Miles devotee Antwon Owens, a phenomenally
gifted and insightful drummer. Together these young men performed with or alongside
such notables as Stanley Jordan, The Bad Plus, The Under Dog Five, Ron Miles, Fred
Hess, Rene Marie, Keith Oxman, Shamie Royston, Mark Sabatella, Joshua Trinidad,
Tonali, Joe Bonner and many more.
Disner’s 2006 debut release, Persistence, borrows from rock, eastern European folk and
avant-garde as much as it does jazz. Clarinet-adventurer Andrew Alikhanov provides an
unmistakable Russian flavor. The ever inventive bassist Nathan Walter, and soul-infused
tenor sax man Greg Warren join Disner and Owens on this aural delicacy.
Together with Owens, Walter and Matt King (an alto sax virtuoso with a come-at-it-
sideways improvisational approach), Jim’s current project is Three Squared, a fresh fusion
of the "nu" jazz sound in America. They just released their new album Let’s Play Ping
Pong, and have been on tour in the U.S.
ANTWON OWENS DRUM SET AND PERCUSSION Antwon was born and raised in the City
of Denver where jazz is thriving. He started out at the tender young age of fifteen with
learning music for his first time. Since the graduation of high school in June 2001 Antwon
has flourished as a musician and has received many awards for his quick pace in learning
music; these awards include Jazz Vibe solos (UNC Greely Jazz Festival), Drum set solos
and Latin percussion playing (Metropolitan State College Jazz Festival & Denver University
Jazz Festival). Antwon has had the privilege to mentor and play with high school and
middle school students in the Art Street Jazz Big Band under the direction of Gerald
Endsley. At the present time Antwon is earning his degree at the Metropolitan State
College of Denver for Music Education. He has studied/played with some of Colorado and
Jazz’s biggest performers who have helped him burst onto the jazz scene of Denver, these
people include; Ron Miles, Fred Hess, Walter Barr, Matt Wilson, David King, Rene Marie,
Paul Romaine, Dave Divine, Ron Bland, Rudy Royston, Greg Gizbert, Shane Endsley,
Knee Body, Dave Phillips, Tom Rainey, Max Wagner, Gerald Endsley, Ken Walker, Daniel
Cevallos, Mark Foster, Victor Mendoza, Gary Sosias, Mark Sabatella, Dan Edgar-Bolanza,
Bob Hall and many more. Antwon’s experience in jazz combos, big bands, funks combos
and Latin bands have given him a wide variety of playing styles and does not restrict him to
one kind of music. He has had the privilege to play with such people as: Stanley Jordan,
The Bad Plus, The U.S. Falconries, The Under Dog Five, The New York Voices, Ron Miles,
Fred Hess, Rene Marie, Keith Oxman, Mark Harris, The Fred Hess One O’ Clock Big Band,
Shamie Royston, Asia Fajardo-Wright, Max Wagner, Gerald Endsley Big Band, Mark
Sabatella and many more. Some local Colorado and National venues that Antwon has
performed at are The Brown Palace Hotel, The Bliss Cafe', Utah Art's Festival, The Walnut
Room, Dulcinea’s, Quixote’s, 1515 Market, Dazzle Jazz Club, Mercury Cafe, Trio’s (Boulder
and Denver) KUVO Jazz Radio Station, KGNU Radio Station, The Burnsley Hotel, Toad
Tavern, Herman’s Hideaway, The Soiled Dove Underground, The D’ Note, Aspen Jazz
Festival, The OutPost (New Mexico), Red Rocks, Falling Rock Tap House, UNC Greeley
Jazz Festival, DU Jazz Festival, Metropolitan State College of Denver Jazz Festival, and
many other Jazz festivals.
of Denver where jazz is thriving. He started out at the tender young age of fifteen with
learning music for his first time. Since the graduation of high school in June 2001 Antwon
has flourished as a musician and has received many awards for his quick pace in learning
music; these awards include Jazz Vibe solos (UNC Greely Jazz Festival), Drum set solos
and Latin percussion playing (Metropolitan State College Jazz Festival & Denver University
Jazz Festival). Antwon has had the privilege to mentor and play with high school and
middle school students in the Art Street Jazz Big Band under the direction of Gerald
Endsley. At the present time Antwon is earning his degree at the Metropolitan State
College of Denver for Music Education. He has studied/played with some of Colorado and
Jazz’s biggest performers who have helped him burst onto the jazz scene of Denver, these
people include; Ron Miles, Fred Hess, Walter Barr, Matt Wilson, David King, Rene Marie,
Paul Romaine, Dave Divine, Ron Bland, Rudy Royston, Greg Gizbert, Shane Endsley,
Knee Body, Dave Phillips, Tom Rainey, Max Wagner, Gerald Endsley, Ken Walker, Daniel
Cevallos, Mark Foster, Victor Mendoza, Gary Sosias, Mark Sabatella, Dan Edgar-Bolanza,
Bob Hall and many more. Antwon’s experience in jazz combos, big bands, funks combos
and Latin bands have given him a wide variety of playing styles and does not restrict him to
one kind of music. He has had the privilege to play with such people as: Stanley Jordan,
The Bad Plus, The U.S. Falconries, The Under Dog Five, The New York Voices, Ron Miles,
Fred Hess, Rene Marie, Keith Oxman, Mark Harris, The Fred Hess One O’ Clock Big Band,
Shamie Royston, Asia Fajardo-Wright, Max Wagner, Gerald Endsley Big Band, Mark
Sabatella and many more. Some local Colorado and National venues that Antwon has
performed at are The Brown Palace Hotel, The Bliss Cafe', Utah Art's Festival, The Walnut
Room, Dulcinea’s, Quixote’s, 1515 Market, Dazzle Jazz Club, Mercury Cafe, Trio’s (Boulder
and Denver) KUVO Jazz Radio Station, KGNU Radio Station, The Burnsley Hotel, Toad
Tavern, Herman’s Hideaway, The Soiled Dove Underground, The D’ Note, Aspen Jazz
Festival, The OutPost (New Mexico), Red Rocks, Falling Rock Tap House, UNC Greeley
Jazz Festival, DU Jazz Festival, Metropolitan State College of Denver Jazz Festival, and
many other Jazz festivals.
| Discography: |
Let's Play Ping Pong
2008
2008
"Let’s Play Ping Pong moves in ways a fine glass of scotch does, by thickly coating the glass with each swirl.
This album is simply delicious. Fusing together elements of traditional jazz, a modern take on tonal theory
and progressive rhythms is the lifeblood of Let’s Play Ping Pong. Three Squared is a jazz quartet (guitar,
drums, bass, and saxophone) consisting of breathtaking melodies, awesome grooves and a certain
symmetry where all four members unite on the same brainwave. The artwork jives exceeding well with the
futuristic jazz approach making this LP a high quality product for all music lovers to own. Be sure to check out
thr33squared.net for a list of shows and tours as well as listening to this great album."
by Dave Preston
Colorado Music Buzz Magazine
This album is simply delicious. Fusing together elements of traditional jazz, a modern take on tonal theory
and progressive rhythms is the lifeblood of Let’s Play Ping Pong. Three Squared is a jazz quartet (guitar,
drums, bass, and saxophone) consisting of breathtaking melodies, awesome grooves and a certain
symmetry where all four members unite on the same brainwave. The artwork jives exceeding well with the
futuristic jazz approach making this LP a high quality product for all music lovers to own. Be sure to check out
thr33squared.net for a list of shows and tours as well as listening to this great album."
by Dave Preston
Colorado Music Buzz Magazine
Object
2010
2010