The Squid's Ear Magazine


Hard Rubber Orchestra: Cruel Yet Fair (Les Disques Victo)

Directed by trumpeter John Korsrud, Vancouver's Hard Rubber Orchestra assembles a large ensemble of brass, reeds, rhythm section, and strings for a bold program of avant-funk big band compositions, where tightly arranged horn lines, electric guitar textures, and driving rhythms collide with free improvisation to create energetic, groove-driven explorations in contemporary creative orchestral jazz.
 

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Personnel:



Chris Startup-baritone saxophone

Daniel Miles Kane-baritone saxophone

Saul Berson-alto saxophone

Brad Muirhead-bass trombone

John Korsrud-director, compositions

Brent Gubbels-double bass, electric Bass

Dave Robbins-Drums

Stan Taylor-Drums

Ron Samworth-Electric Guitar

Jack Duncan-Percussion

Graham Ord-Soprano Saxophone

Ross Taggart-Tenor Saxophone

Dennis Esson, -Trombone

Rob McKenzie-Trombone

Rod Murray-Trombone

Bill Clark-Trumpet

Brad Turner-Trumpet

Henry Christian-Trumpet

Ross Gregory-Trumpet

Sheila McDonald-Violin

Click an artist name above to see in-stock items for that artist.



UPC: 777405005922

Label: Les Disques Victo
Catalog ID: VICCD059
Squidco Product Code: 24064

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 1998
Country: Canada
Packaging: Jewel Case
Recorded at XNTRik Studios, on October 21st and 22nd, 1997, and on November 15th, 997 at Western Front, in Vancouver, Canada.
Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

Artist Biographies

Alto saxophonist and clarinetist recognized in the Vancouver jazz scene for both straight-ahead and inventive modern playing, Berson brings melodic clarity into freer environments including large-group improvisation.

-Squidco 4/29/2026

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Based in Vancouver, Canada, Muirhead is a bass-trombonist, tuba/sousaphone player, composer and improviser active since the early 1980s. He has worked across genres from symphonic and jazz large ensembles (NOW Orchestra / Orkestra Futura, Hard Rubber Orchestra) to more intimate creative settings, and is known for his powerful tone and inventive improvising.

-Squidco 4/29/2026

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Trumpeter and composer leading Vancouver's Hard Rubber Orchestra, Korsrud blends jazz, classical, funk, and avant-garde influences into vibrant large-ensemble works. Also a frequent collaborator in improvising orchestras across Canada.

-Squidco 4/29/2026

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Vancouver-based guitarist/composer Ron Samworth is a high profile presence on the Canadian scene, equally at home playing in the jazz tradition or the extended sound worlds of new and improvised music. Nominated for the 2002 National Jazz Writers Award "Best Jazz Guitarist", he leads the acclaimed quartet Talking Pictures and co-leads the 15-piece NOW Orchestra. He has appeared at all of the major jazz festivals across Canada, the Jazzfest Berlin, Chicago Jazzfest, New York's Knitting Factory, Vienna's Let's Cool One Chamber Jazz Festival, and at prestigious venues in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He has performed and recorded with many leading international artists including John Zorn, John Medeski, Han Bennink, Marc Ribot, Wayne Horvitz, Butch Morris, Bobby Previte, Marilyn Crispell, George Lewis, and Canadian jazz legend Claude Ranger. His inter-disciplinary work includes composition, performance and sound design for theatre, spoken word, film, and dance."

-Capilano University (https://www.capilanou.ca/jazz-studies/bios/Ron-Samworth/)
4/29/2026

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British-born, Vancouver-based saxophonist and multi-woodwind player, Graham Ord has contributed to jazz, folk, and experimental settings, including the NOW Orchestra. His sound ranges from lyrical warmth to robust free-form energy.

-Squidco 4/29/2026

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Vancouver-based trombonist active in creative jazz and improvisation, Murray's strong low-brass foundation supports exploratory ensembles such as the NOW Orchestra and other West Coast projects.

-Squidco 4/29/2026

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"On the Vancouver jazz scene, the Talking Pictures era began in the '90s, not the '30s. Trumpeter Bill Clark has been recording and performing with the ensemble of that name since its initial formation in 1993; his collaborative gait reliably pliable; his long-term dedication a hallmark of his own career as well as the ensemble itself. Clark has been intrinsic to a series of invitations involving musicians from outside Vancouver to work on specific projects with Talking Pictures, a casting call which has brought forth respondents from across the border in the United States as well as across the ocean in Europe -- such as Wayne Horvitz and Jorrit Dijkstra, respectively.

The other original members of Talking Pictures are cellist Peggy Lee, guitarist Ron Samworth, and drummer Dylan van der Schyff. Clark has also performed with another cooperative venture, the Vancouver Ensemble of Jazz Improvisation. He is a freelance composer who is particularly proud of "Pavel and the Puck," a piece originally written to be performed by a theater group on ice. Having contributed to the unusual genre of "ice theater" makes this artist distinct among other performers named Bill Clark, something a trumpet by itself cannot. Thus, this trumpeting Clark should not be confused with the one in the horn section of the Esther Phillips band, nor is he the same William Clark who played drums on many mainstream jazz records."

-All Music, Eugene Chadbourne (http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bill-clark-mn0000066134)
4/29/2026

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"Brad Turner's phenomenal talents as a trumpeter, pianist, drummer and composer make him one of Canada's most in-demand and highly esteemed musicians. Brad has performed and/or recorded with such artists as Joe Lovano, Kenny Wheeler, John Scofield, Michael Moore, Reneé Rosnes, Jimmy Greene, Terell Stafford, Ingrid Jensen, Mike Murley, Seamus Blake, Kenny Werner and Ernie Watts. Brad's groups have opened for McCoy Tyner, Roy Haynes, Wayne Shorter, Clark Terry, Diana Krall, Ahmad Jamal and Tony Bennett.

As a leader, Brad has released six albums, five as a trumpeter with his quartet, the most recent being the 2007 release Small Wonder, which was nominated for a Juno in the Traditional Jazz Album category.

What Is, released in 2005, won Best Jazz Album, at the 2006 Western Canadian Music Awards. As a pianist with his trio, the 2004 release, Question the Answer was nominated for a 2005 Canadian Urban Music Award, and a 2006 Canadian Indie Music Award.

In 1997 and 1998 Brad won Juno Awards (Canadian Grammy) for Best Contemporary Jazz Album recognizing his work in the internationally established electric jazz group Metalwood.

Winner of National Jazz Awards for Jazz Composer of the Year (2000 and 2002), Brad was awarded Musician of the Year for 2005, and was a recipient of 2006 Victor Lynch-Staunton Prize for excellence in musical achievement.

In 2008 and again in 2009, Brad took home National Jazz Awards for Trumpeter of the Year and Producer of the year.

Brad is a member of the jazz studies faculty at Capilano University, in North Vancouver, B.C."

-Cannonball Music (http://www.cannonballmusic.com/bturner.php)
4/29/2026

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:
Related Categories of Interest:

May 2017
Victo
Improvised Music
Jazz
Free Improvisation
Large Ensembles
Canadian Composition & Improvisation
Vancouver and Western Canada

Search for other titles on the label:
Les Disques Victo.


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