The debut album by Gold Age, the Oakland based quartet of Aram Shelton, Mark Clifford, Safa Shokrai and Britt Ciampa. An album of avant jazz informed by the member’s collective backgrounds and mutual interest in challenging traditional concepts of jazz through the use of adventurous harmonics and inventive forms. The unique improvisational approaches of the members are grounded in high level instrumental proficiency paired with a playful and open minded sensibility.
CD in an LP-style Sleeve. SSM-016.
Contact us if you want a copy.
The full album is available for download at Bandcamp.
Aram Shelton, alto saxophone & bass clarinet
Mark Clifford, vibraphone
Safa Shokrai, bass
Britt Ciampa, drums
Gold Age features eight tracks recorded in June of 2015 at Ex’pression in Oakland by J Carlos Arredondo. Mixed by Aram Shelton. Mastered by Myles Boisen.
The Hand That Might Mend Itself 7:51
The Docks 10:21
Twinards 4:51
Peach Orchard 8:22
Levity Faction 8:05
Show Jumping 6:25
Let’s Stay In 5:03
Caspian Sea 7:00
Total time: 51:05
Composition credits: Track 1, Ciampa; Tracks 2, 3, 6, 7 Shelton; Tracks 4, 8 Shokrai; Track 5, Clifford.
Aram Shelton is an improviser and composer. He performs on saxophone, clarinets, and live electronics. Based in Oakland, California, his music and playing is represented by his electroacoustic solo project Tonal Masher and Gold Age (Singlespeed). He has recently performed with the ROVA saxophone quartet, and composed an original score for the Sharp & Fine Dance project All Roads are Lined with Teeth.
Mark Clifford is a vibraphonist, composer, and percussionist equally involved in free improvisation, new music, jazz, and indie music, and is a part of multiple projects in the Bay Area and around the country. His performance experience spans worldwide, and he has had the honor of playing alongside an array of wonderful musicians including Tatsuya Nakatani, Jeff Parker, Wu Fei, Moe! Staiano, Ron Miles, So Percussion, Scott Amendola, Greg Gizbert, Paul Riola, and Josh Berman. www.markcliffordmusic.com
Safa Shokrai is inspired by visual art, architecture, and movement. They inform the color and tone of his work. He has performed in a wide range of groups, ranging from punk-jazz (The Drift) to world music (Rupa & The April Fishes) to old-timey swing (Tin Cup Serenade). He has played bass since he was a preteen, and had the privilege to study with the great Ray Brown and San Francisco great Marcus Shelby. www.safashokrai.com
Drummer and composer Britt Ciampa was born in Ohio, raised in the mountains of Colorado, and schooled in music under the tutelage of New York avant-garde jazz luminary Kevin Norton. Currently a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, Ciampa is active in a myriad of creative music projects ranging from free-jazz to art rock to noise metal, and performs as a bandleader, collaborator, and sideman in groups such as Britt Ciampa Hugs You, Gold Age, and Mark Clifford’s See Saw Quartet. www.brittciampa.com