About a year ago, a cadre of New Orleans’ finest musicians gathered to perform the music of David Bowie. Among those assembled was James Westfall, vibraphonist/composer and one-third of The Wee Trio. This idea of performing Bowie’s music coincided with the groundwork the Trio had laid for their third album. What followed was the recording and, on New Year’s day, the release of Ashes to Ashes: A David Bowie Intraspective (Bionic Records), an exploration into the eclectic icon’s music, and the band’s follow-up to their first two critically acclaimed albums, Capitol Diner Vol. 1, and Capitol Diner Vol. 2 Animal Style.

Ashes to Ashes is comprised of six tunes that span Bowie’s musical universe: “Battle For Britain” (from Earthling), “Queen Bitch” (from Hunky Dory), “The Man Who Sold the World” (from The Man Who Sold the World), “Ashes to Ashes” (from Scary Monsters), “1984” (from Diamond Dogs) and “Sunday” (from Heathen). On each, the Wee Trio—vibraphonist Westfall, bassist Dan Loomis and drummer Jared Schonig—manages to retain the spirit and energy of the original recordings while also demonstrating how nicely Bowie’s compositions transfer to the modern-jazz realm.

To support their new disc, The Wee Trio will commence their “Ashes to Ashes” tour in Stephenville, Texas, on January 18. Here’s the full itinerary:

January 18, Tarelton State University; Stephenville, Texas

January 19, University of North Texas; Denton, Texas

January 20, The Elephant Room; Austin, Texas

January 21, Cezanne’s; Houston, Texas

January 22, Snug Harbor; New Orleans, Louisiana

January 24, University of New Orleans; New Orleans, Louisiana

January 27 & 28, Jazz at the Bistro; St. Louis, Missouri

February 2, Nighttown; Cleveland, Ohio

February 3, The Green Mill; Chicago, Illinois

February 4, Becket’s; Osh Kosh, Wisconsin

February 8, Roberts Wesleyan University; Rochester, New York

February 9, Chris’ Jazz Café; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

February 11, The Lily Pad; Boston, Massachusetts

For more information, go to www.theweetrio.com.

Photo credit: Richard Thompson II

Tags: David Bowie, Wee Trio