Tim Willis & The End - Keep Your Chin Up

It's been a little over a year since The End released their self-titled debut, and since then the group have gone from strength to strength, refining a jazz-rock sound that is unmistakeably their own, Tim began writing material for the album just prior to the release of their first album and, after securing funding from Arts Victoria, went into the studio in January enlisting the expertise of recording engineer Steve Scanlon, Made up of eight pieces, seven from Tim and one from alto sax player Jon Crompton, the over-riding theme of the album is that of facing and overcoming adversity, with each piece showcasing the talents of each member, The Rose, Jon Crompton's piece, is a dark and brooding piece that features an additional horn part played by special guest Jack Beeche, There are several pieces on the album such as It'll Be Okay.No It Won't and Family which are driving and heavily, but uniquely rock influenced and contrastingly subdued moments such as Lying On Her Bed Listenin' To Steve Reich - a love song and homage to his partner's favourite composer, The title track for the album Keep Your Chin Up, and the album itself is dedicated to Willis' sister who has courageously fought breast cancer, The End are Jon Crompton (Wangaratta Jazz Awards Runner Up 2009) - alto sax; John Felstead (Univeristy Medalist, Lee Barker, Cam McCalister) - tenor sax; Gareth Hill (Michelangelo & The Tin Star, Bob Sedegreen) - bass; Nick Martyn (Whitesploitation) - drums; and Tim Willis - guitar, compositions.