Tyson Graf (guitar); Chris Brawley (drums)

Released in 2011. This recording is a collection of rehearsals that took place between May and August 2010. The rehearsals were originally recorded, not with the release of an album in mind, but with the intent to review and study. Because of that, and the fact that most of the music is improvised, it is a very honest representation of who we are. Tracks 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 are completely improvised, while tracks 1, 3, and 7 have elements of composition with lots of improvising. Review from All About Jazz: Guitarist Tyson Graf isn't content with exploring the surface; instead, he'd rather the plumb the depths. To him, playing music takes on a transcendent quality. "As I get older music becomes more and more of a spiritual activity," Graf revealed. "Spiritual in the sense of becoming more enlightened through music and hopefully enlightening others." On his second album Rehearsals, Graf stitches together his command of progressive-rock guitar with his fascination for jazz improv. The union of the two makes for an exhilarating combination, especially when Graf recorded the tracks without composing them before entering the studio. The rawness of the tracks makes for some fiery, unpredictable listening. "Chord Riff" and "The Grand Finale" charge with scorching licks that are nevertheless rooted in blues and funk. On "Improvisation One" and "Improvisation Two," Graf manages to balance the high-voltage speed of heavy metal with the rambunctious grooves of jazz. Contributing to the sonic mayhem is drummer Chris Brawley (the only other musician on the album), who pounds the skins with the impact of fireballs pulverizing the Earth. The purity of the songs in Rehearsals reflects Graf's relationship with music in general. To him, it's not about attaining wealth or fame. "I've never had a very good business mind," Graf revealed. "It's always been far easier for me to create," Nevertheless, Graf would like to "sell more records, tour the world, and play clinics with my new drummer Mike Johnston. Johnston does clinics all over the world, and we are just starting to develop a guitar and drum duo that he thinks will work great with his drum clinics." For now, though, releasing Rehearsals has provided much-need gratification. "I felt a sense of accomplishment recording songs," Graf explained. "It was a great way to express myself and document the process of creating."