On her long-awaited debut album, Canadian-American violinist Aline Homzy ushers the jazz violin tradition into the contemporary world with improvisation, nuanced composition and the creation of a dazzling musical world. Available to purchase here

The virtuosic violinist Aline Homzy introduces us to her dazzling musical world on her debut album Éclipse with her group Aline’s étoile magique. The album will be released August 25, 2023 via Elastic Recordings. Joining her on the album are vibraphonist Michael Davidson (Joe Chambers), guitarist Thom Gill (Knower), Dan Fortin (Bernice) on bass, and Marito Marques (Ivan Lins) on drums, with special guests João Frade on accordion and vocalist Felicity Williams. The 11-track recording was ten years in the making and is a debut that showcases Homzy’s brilliant musicianship and compositional point of view with impressive clarity and maturity.

Homzy grew up in Montréal, Québec before moving to Toronto to study jazz. Private studies in New York with violinist Sara Caswell, arranger Sy Johnson (Charles Mingus’ arranger) and Berlin-based pianist/composer Aki Takasi had a profound impact on her musical trajectory. Homzy’s father, Andrew Homzy, is a musicologist and an Ellington, Mingus and Monk scholar. These three figures, who occupied much of her father’s interest, greatly influenced her compositions and playing. Intervallic melodies à la Monk, an Ellington-approach to writing for specific musicians, and Mingus-like shifts in tempi and moods are all present in this music. Above all else, Homzy shares the same musical goal that Monk, Mingus and Ellington championed: creating serious music - executed with a sense of playfulness, wit and humor.

As a jazz violinist, Homzy is wary of assumptions people often make before they’ve even heard her play a single note. “I’ve certainly learnt from the great violinists of the genre, like Stéphane Grappelli,” Homzy says. “But it’s important to me to use the tradition as a foundation while shining a more contemporary light on the instrument and its capabilities.” Homzy achieves this modernity by improvising with a fearlessness that highlights the fullness of the violin sound. She doesn’t shy away from bold choices when improvising and takes inspiration from the virtuosity of violinists like Jean-Luc Ponty and Regina Carter.

The album’s opening track “Caraway” highlights Homzy’s boldness in this regard, both as a player and a composer. She describes the tune as “Hermeto Pascoal meets the Mahavishnu Orchestra” with seamlessly blended sections that create a musical world through which the listener is transported. “Éclipse is a universe where I can explore the idea of the unknown,” Homzy says. “I’m fascinated by how we capture otherworldliness in music and sounds. When the sun and moon align during an eclipse, the light changes. How do we translate this visual shift into an aural one?”

Homzy finds the answer to this question by fully utilising the studio as the sixth band member on the album. Effects shape the compositions and alter the textures for variety. The musicians in étoile magique ventured to Kingston, Ontario where they spent a week recording at rock band The Tragically Hip’s studio. Homzy made use of post-production tools to help paint the picture of a vivid universe. On “Mesarthim,” the theremin and synth are manipulated manually to achieve the sensation that the listener is wrapped in the sound. The only cover on the album is Charlie Parker’s “Segment,” which receives a reverberant, “spacey” treatment so that it fits in perfectly with the rest of the tracks.

Homzy takes advantage of the ability to add layers in post-production but she also exercises restraint, aiming to whittle something down to its musical essence. “I always think of that Coco Chanel quote, ‘Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.’ The same can be said for post-production. Add in all the overdubs, take a step back, and remove one thing you added to restore sonic balance.” While Homzy certainly used the studio as a way to explore every possible nook and cranny of the music to maximum effect, the result is never heavy-handed. The lush effect of a well-chosen pad here, the faintest shimmer of a delay there. There is a thoughtfulness that runs throughout, from the structure of the music to the way in which it was arranged and brought to life.

Homzy waited ten years to record her debut album. 'I needed that time to mature as a composer and improviser. I also needed to learn how to be concise with my musical statement,” she explains. Éclipse is a testament to taking time and then creating with a laser-sharp focus and intention. Homzy and étoile magique create a richly nuanced musical world where theremins, vibraphones and violins combine to bring the great unknown to life.

Aline Homzy website

On August 24th, June Yun will release her debut single “Light Cycle” which will be track 8 on her upcoming album “Enlightenment – Solid Waves”.

June Yun, a NYC based vocalist and composer from South Korea has been building and growing her own philosophy towards the abstract concept of Light and Dark for the past 3 years. Heavily influenced and inspired by jazz, classical music, R&B, and pop, Yun composed 8 pieces of originals and has finally recorded this music with some of the most inspiring musicians in the jazz scene today. She invited Shai Maestro (piano), Kanoa Mendenhall (bass), Jongkuk Kim (drums), Vid Jamnik (vibraphone), Brad Kang (guitar) and Nicola Caminiti (alto sax) to be on board.

Her composition debut album “Enlightenment - Solid Waves", a collection of 8 pieces of her original music written towards a specific concept she created : 

The meaning of "Light and Dark" can be very personal and is very difficult to accurately understand or directly translate, just like feelings and emotions. Light and Dark coexist. They do not stay in one place, they flow, circulate and transform as time passes. The compositions in this project picture these various abstract forms of light and dark within the scope that I built. A lot of the "light" aspects that I talk about relate to people and community and how their bright energy has helped me recover from any darkness I had faced in the past. I have asked some of the most inspiring musicians to help me bring my music to life, just the way I imagined. I had very specific reasons and stories for each and one of these people to be part of this project, just like I had very detailed, specific meanings for every song in this album.

Prior to releasing the full length album in September, she will release “Light Cycle” (track 8) on August 24th to introduce her music to listeners and announce her debut.

I wrote “Light Cycle” realizing how much energy I’ve earned from so many bright people around me. Light and dark co-exists, but oftentimes one is larger than the other. When one’s dark (sad) takes over and their light is weak, others who have more light will share their light with them so that they can shine bright again. In that way, light circulates. I believe that light is a cycle that we can share and give to others. I wrote this piece to remind myself of the people around me who helped me to recover from the dark I had faced before and to remind myself to practice to be someone who can give and share bright energy and light.

More about June Yun, her music, upcoming dates for her tour can be found on her website (juneyunmusic.com) or on her social media (@the.juney.effect).

Singer-songwriter Lara Eidi soars high with the release of her latest single "Breathe Love" out on all platforms on August the 4th from her debut album Sun( release date September 4 on Pastiche Records). With its genre-defying sound and heartfelt lyrics, the song is a testament to Eidi's unique artistic vision and creative prowess.

Relocating to Athens, Greece from London, England during the pandemic, Eidi found herself in the city's streets and gathering inspiration during her daily walks. These moments led Eidi to confront her fears and rediscover her true voice. She felt empowered to create music that reflected her courage and resilience on her journey of self-discovery.

 “Breathe Love is about embracing every single side of oneself. The shy, the free, the brave, the timid, the wanderer, the observer, the giver and the receiver,” says Eidi. A highly versatile multi - instrumentalist. Eidi composes in a manner that builds on drawing the listener's attention starting with the simple to the highly complex . `Starting with a piano riff , Eidi's dexterity as a pianist set the foundation for the development of 'Breathe Love' . Influenced by the diversity of artists such as Jose James, Chet Faker and Laila Biali , she managed to mold 90's dub feels with enlisting Fatis on drums, whilst floating vocally over each beat, developing the sound by layering one vocal overlay at a time, ending with strings soaring into an emotional crescendo to juxtapose Eidi's intricate and dynamic 14 vocal harmonies.

The music video for “Breathe Love” was filmed in an urban park in Athens by Petros Loannidis and features dancer and performer Demelza. The video visually captures the essence of embracing one's multifaceted self as two sides merge into one voice and movement. Eidi and Demelza breathe love back out to the universe, symbolizing the unity and strength found within oneself. “When I sat down to come up with a concept for this video, I could immediately picture movement and a dancer. So, I invited the stellar Demelza who features as my 'other side' in this video. The two 'sides' come together as sisters, as one voice, one movement, breathing love back out to the universe,” says Eidi.

To make up the album Sun, Eidi revisited old unreleased songs like "Forgive," "Tide," and "Sun" along with unfinished tracks such as "Damien" and "Hang On." Additionally, she crafted new compositions like "Hello Gravity," "Breathe Love," and "Maybe Then." Each song is layered with raw emotions and honest storytelling. The album captures Lara's growth, vulnerability, and resilience in the face of personal challenges.

To bring her vision to life, aside from performing lead and backing vocals switch between piano and guitar as a multi -instrumentalist, Lara assembled a group of exceptionally talented musicians from Athens's diverse music scene. Collaborating with drummer Petros Fatis, bassist Harrys Pandazis, cellist Stavros Parginos, cellist Eirini Anastasiou, violinist Catherine Tepelena, and violinist Tasos Gousetis, Eidi created a rich and dynamic sound that perfectly complements her storytelling.

Eidi is an artist known for her genre-bending style and captivating presence that is on display in her new single “Breathe Love.” Her ability to connect with audiences on a profound level coupled with her powerful voice and evocative songwriting has made her debut album Sun a piece that showcases her artistic evolution and delivers a message of hope, empowerment, and freedom.

‘Breathe Love’ is out on all digital platforms on August 4, with the full album Sun set for release September 4 via Pastiche Records

Lara Eidi website here

Nashville-Based Drummer-Composer Sofia Goodman Extends Her Creative & Technical Prowess on "Secrets of the Shore". Set for July 14 Release on Joyous Records.

Recording Features the Celebrated Sofia Goodman Group, showcasing Powerhouse Musicians Matt White, Joel Frahm, Dan Hitchcock, performing 10 Goodman Originals.

Drummer-composer Sofia Goodman pursues an increasingly sophisticated and multidimensional vision with the July 14 release of Secrets of the Shore on Joyous Records. The Nashville-based Goodman’s sophomore album with her eponymous Group (trumpeter Matt White, trombonist Roy Agee, saxophonists Joel Frahm and Dan Hitchcock, clarinetist Max Dvorin, keyboardist Alex Murphy, guitarist Rheal Janelle, bassist Leland Nelson and percussionist Carlos Duran) finds her changing direction from the jazz-funk fusion of her debut album—though still retaining aspects of that style—and exploring thoughtful and often tender post-bop.

That exploration encompasses a diversity of styles, grooves, emotions, and compositional and improvisational shapes across the album’s ten original tunes. But it also includes a remarkable, expansive new approach to colors and textural possibilities, not least on Goodman’s drum kit. It’s a tremendous leap forward from her 2018 debut, Myriad of Flowers.

“My first album was such a learning experience,” Goodman says. “This time I was much more prepared in terms of what I should do and how my music should be. As I worked on Secrets of the Shore, I cared about how I felt as it was happening.”

A concept album about water and its many guises, Secrets of the Shore suitably washes over the listener in waves that are alternately placid (“Siren Song”), enigmatic (“Alberto’s Dreamland”), foreboding (“Buried Treasures”), and tempestuous (“In Barbara’s Mist”)—sometimes in sudden and violent shifts (the complex closing track “Angel”). It also boasts watery sonic details, such the gentle ripples of piano and cymbal on “Shadows on the Sand” and the crystalline droplets of saxophone and Fender Rhodes on “Skipping Stones.”

Importantly, these offerings of detail and mood depend on heavy lifting from the entire Sofia Goodman Group. Each element, from Nelson’s slippery electric bass, to White and Agee’s declaratory brasses, to Frahm and Hitchcock’s sinewy (and sinuous) sax lines, has a vital contribution to realizing Goodman’s music. Still, it’s never hard to detect the leader’s hand, be it her smart writing or her versatile drumming, ultimately guiding Secrets of the Shore.

Sofia Goodman was born in 1987 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she was adopted as an infant. She began taking piano lessons in elementary school, but an encounter with a young friend’s drum kit reoriented her musical interests. Initially that meant blues, rock, and punk, reflecting a teenage defiance that she took with her to Berklee College of Music in Boston. While still in high school, Sofia attended a summer workshop at Berklee taught by Esperanza Spalding, then one of the youngest teachers ever to work at the school. Spalding’s encouragement inspired Sofia to take private lessons with Berklee faculty member Jackie Santos, and to return to Berklee for further studies.

After a somewhat turbulent period of relocation and readjustment, however, she found solace in exploring singing and composing at the piano. Time spent outside of the practice rooms at Berklee was typically spent at Wally’s Café, the beloved South Boston jazz club that is a proving ground for the city’s music students.

Not long after graduating from Berklee with a degree in Drum Set Performance, Goodman’s Boston apartment was decimated by fire. Fate, and some friends, drew her to Nashville, Tennessee, the country music mecca that also nourishes a rich jazz scene. What Goodman thought was a short-term summer residence developed into more than a decade of enthusiastic embrace of, and by, the community of artists that make up the aptly styled Music City.

Goodman plied her skills with musicians of all stripes, at the same time studying composition for a master’s degree from Belmont University. It was only a short time before she was ready to form her own band. Those early efforts would evolve into what is now The Sofia Goodman Group, building a following throughout the South and into the Midwest. Her first album, 2018’s Myriad of Flowers, received a nomination for Best Jazz Album from the Nashville Industry Music Awards. Secrets of the Shore is the Goodman Group’s follow-up to that acclaimed debut.

“Goodman’s work strives for lofty goals, takes big musical risks and aspires for the freedom to manifest itself fully,” wrote Sean L. Maloney last year in the Nashville Scene. “It is truly progressive and fundamentally jazz—and a reason to be excited about the continuing evolution of jazz in Music City."

Available to purchase here

Jazz vocalist Sandra Booker takes the first courageous step towards reclaiming her life after surviving sexual assault and a life-threatening cancer battle, releasing “The Reunion Concert Live” on July 14 is the first in a series of new projects.

LOS ANGELES (12 June 2023):  Sometimes the best way to move forward is to go back. For jazz singer-songwriter Sandra Booker, she’s ready to pick up exactly where she left off eight years ago when she recorded a live album with her then band, The New Trio. Releasing the album, “The Reunion Concert Live from Pasadena Conservatory of Music: Barrett Hall,” this July 14 is a monumental step forward for Booker after enduring a traumatizing eight years that include sexual assault and a life-threatening cancer bout, which combined to put a halt on her once promising performing, recording and touring career.  

The 2015 concert showcasing Booker elegantly singing and astutely scatting a set of standards and a few of her original storytelling compositions took place several months after she was sexually assaulted by a musician she knew and trusted. Still numb and traumatized, Booker was determined that the show - and the recording - must go on.

“Producing that show was such a labor of love because I was still reeling from the assault in silence but determined not to let it take away my passion for music and the joy I knew it gave to others,” said Booker.

A year after the Pasadena concert, Booker was diagnosed with bladder cancer, a diagnosis she believes came as a direct result of the sexual trauma she endured. The assault awoke memories of past childhood abuse. The lengthy cancer battle that ensued became the primary focus of Booker’s existence for six years.

The gifted songbird to whom five-time Grammy winner, six-time Academy Awards nominee and four-time Emmy nominee Lalo Schifrin – the legend who wrote the liner notes for “The Reunion Concert Live from Pasadena Conservatory of Music: Barrett Hall” - calls one of his two favorite jazz vocalists was silenced over these years when all she wanted to do was sing and entertain.

Last fall, after no longer showing signs of disease, Booker didn’t know where or how to begin her comeback. But reading a timely post on social media about creating a comeback changed that. In those words, Booker saw a path towards getting back to doing what she loved. It meant going back to when life as she knew it came to a halt. It meant finally releasing the recording she intended to release eight years ago. She believes releasing the collection is pivotal to resuming her life, restoring her reputation and rebuilding her brand.         

“I feel it is time to release this project to the world and get it off of my heart and spirit. I’m proud of the work and due to health challenges that nearly took my life, time is now of the essence. I have had a rough life but I’m not a victim. I’ve built my life on speaking the truth and being genuine. I love the person I have chosen to be, and I search for the good in myself. I am determined not to become like the people who have harmed me. Facing my mortality gave me the resilience and motivation to do that and whatever is left of my life is dedicated to being the best I can be. Music is medicine to me, life is for living, and reclaiming that part of my life means everything to me,” said Booker defiantly.

“The album is a love letter to myself and chronicles my ups and downs of falling in love, being betrayed by it, and finding the hope to love again. It explores the perils of unrequited love, the dream of reunion and reconciliation, and the bitter disappointment of knowing that sometimes the love we wanted will never come to fruition. It touches on family and friendship, and the psychological and emotional challenges of losing those bonds. At its core, this album is about love in its various manifestations. I wanted to musically express the highs and lows of realizing the only love we can surely rely on is the love we create and nurture within ourselves,” said Booker, who was accompanied by Tamir Hendelman (piano), Robert Perkins (drums), Dave Robaire (upright bass) and Steve Cotter (guitar).

“The Reunion Concert Live” is the first of a prolific slate of recording projects Booker has in the pipeline to make up for lost time. The release marks the rebirth of a career, but, more importantly, the resumption of a radiantly gifted life interrupted by unimagined darkness and sorrow. If everyone really does love a comeback story, just wait until Sandra Booker writes hers by the life she courageously lives beginning with the release of this inspired album.

For more information, please visit Sandra Booker here

The second recording as a leader by **Roberta Baldizzone **for the ParmaFrontiere label, featuring her White Quartet, a now well-established albeit unconventional ensemble that sees Roberta Baldizzone on piano accompanied by Gabriele Fava on soprano and tenor sax, Michele Bonifati on electric guitar, and Marcello Canuti on drums.

The compositions, once again created entirely by the pianist, offer a broader view of her compositional palette. The result is a work that encompasses multiple aspects of European jazz, from the 1970s to the present day, and incorporates many of her own influences. This time, the focus is on storytelling, while still maintaining a strong interest for experimentation.

At the core of the musical exploration of this album lies the interaction between composition and improvisation, their fusion within the structure, and a search for timbral blends.

Some Pictures explores the universe of images, whether they arise from paintings, memories, or snapshots of real events. The merging of images into sound passes through the sensitivity of four storytellers, guided by a score but left free to tell their own version of the story along the musical fabric. It is not so much about descriptive music or a synesthesia between distinct sensory spheres, but rather a pretext to infuse movement into the image and make the resulting music as 'alive' as possible.

 Further information here