Cross Country (2018)

Artist Recording Collective

Cross Country represents another facet of the musical partnership between guitarists William Flynn and Tim Fischer, a partnership that has spanned over four years and multiple states. The shared aesthetics and priorities that have guided their previous teaching, writing, presenting, and playing are present on Cross Country’s eight tracks.

Never living in the same state, Flynn and Fischer have maintained their collaborations through regular phone meetings and annual in-person collaborations. The album receives its title from these meetings. Cross Country’s music is the result of a 1,300+ miles trip in 2017 between Kansas and South Carolina. Both are jazz guitar educators at colleges (Flynn at Wichita State University, Fischer at Coastal Carolina University) and have cowritten a book on the subject of guitar duets (Jazz Guitar Duets, Mel Bay 2016).

Cross Country eschews the traditional jazz rhythm section of bass and drums in favor of the more intimate and interactive guitar duet format, a rich tradition that dates back to the beginnings of jazz guitar. Flynn and Fischer have taken a conversational approach to performing this material, while still presenting plenty of opportunities for their guitar pyrotechnics. The album consists exclusively of original compositions, equally representing the writing of each performer. The album’s compositions reference bebop, samba, modern jazz, vand even classical counterpoint, helping to frame the performer’s improvisations in a variety of settings. Fans of jazz guitar and composition are sure to enjoy William Flynn and Tim Fischer’s Cross Country.

Listen on Spotify / Apple Music / Bandcamp

Credits

William Flynn - guitar (left channel)
Tim Fischer - guitar (left channel)

Recorded by Tim Fischer at Wheelwright Recording Studio at Coastal Carolina University on July 17, 2017
Mixed and Mastered by Cynthea Kelley

Compositions by:
Tim Fischer - tracks 1, 4, 6 & 7
William Flynn - tracks 2, 3, 5 & 8