Biography of Partisans

Partisans have been thrilling audiences since its formation in 1996 , with its tightly knit themes and a great freedom coming from the years of playing and gigging together. Fresh from the success of their recent collaboration with US Guitarist Wayne Krantz at the Cheltenham Jazz festival, the band hit the road once more with a new set of material and fresh sounds.

"'Max' is a statement of both adventure and maturity from a group that is definitely firing on all cylinders" Kevin Le Gendre, Echoes June 2005



"Terrific, Invigorating Music" Chris May allaboutjazz May 2005

"Partisans were the highlight of the festival, jazz that makes you blink in its glare" John Fordham, The Guardian, Cheltenham Jazz festival, May 2003

"Partisans held a packed audience spellbound for two hours and had them begging for more" Oxford Times

"Music with great spirit, prowess and musicality" Q Magazine

"It's bad, man" Delfeayo Marsalis

"Partisans with Wayne Krantz played one of the most blisteringly powerful, rollingly intense sets that I've ever heard anywhere".. Chris Parker, Jazz review.

"Music with great spirit, prowess and musicality" Q Magazine

Max is the eagerly anticipated new album from Partisans. The bandB9s second for the Babel label, this is the first new recording from the London based quartet for five year s, following the release of the critically acclaimed Sourpuss in 2000.

Comprising ten original tunes by guitarist Phil Robson and saxophonist Julian Siegel, the album includes their interpretations of David Bowie and Charlie Parker and a composition written specially for the band by guitarist Wayne Krantz. Max takes its name and inspiration from one of the greatest drummers of all time: Max Roach. The dynamic melody of the title track borrows its rhythm from Roach and mixes it with guitar, sax and trumpet lines and relentlessly driving bass and drums.

One of the first of the new wave of UK jazz bands to be influenced as much by Jimi Hendrix as by Miles Davis or Sonny Rollins, Partisans has been gripping audiences with its ferociously energetic performances since its formation in 1996. Their visceral, groove-based sound combines bop lines with rock riffs and flowing melodies, bridging the gap between New York swing, rock and the US jam-band scene.

Alongside Phil Robson and Julian Siegel, Partisans is Gene Calderazzo (drums) and Thad Kelly (bass). Max also features guest appearances by Jim Watson (organ), Thebe Lipere (percussion) and Chris Batchelor (trumpet).