Composer, Jenny Davis Releases Rearranged on Three Penny Records

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Composer, bandleader and critically-acclaimed jazz vocalist, Jenny Davis has shifted the focus of her art to reflect her life as an advocate for change. This aspect of her life's work cuts deep on Rearranged (The Yeoman Warders Project), her 4th album as a leader. It is an album in which the art of composition takes center-stage as all but three works featured here have been crafted by Davis. Another highlight of this album is that Davis has drawn in three-time Grammy-nominated Seattle-based Brazilian musician, Jovino Santos Neto. The pianist and composer/ arranger is a long-time music director of Hermeto Pascoal's band, has also collaborated with symphonic orchestras in the US and Europe and now brings not only brings his own eloquent pianism and his trio to this project, but also contributes an arrangement to the album. The album also brings together an all-star cast of musicians with whom Davis has previously collaborated as well. (See list below).

It does not end there, of course as proof of the endeavor ultimately rests with the scores that Davis has composed and arranged specially for this unique project. This evidence comes in the form of a sophisticated, refreshingly non-egoistic performance by an artist who shows that she can be as singularly original as she is quietly magical. This, of course, begins with the relevance of Davis' art; in this case the music itself and – when the heady notes require further adornment – the lyrics.

"Being a composer is about more than creating amazing music. It's also an opportunity to reach hearts and minds through the metaphysical power of the that music, " Jenny Davis.

This thoughtful approach to art has been over 20 years in the making. It goes back to Davis' years of study which earned her a Master of Fine Arts in Composition from Vermont College of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Music from the prestigious Cornish College of the Arts. Davis and is much sought-after as a jazz educator. She has also been a busy performer who has travelled across the globe and also shared studio and stage with many important artists such as Anita Wardell, Jay Clayton, Jovino Santos Neto, Andy Jaffe, Bud Shank, Hadley Caliman, and Diego Figueiredo and Carla Kihlstedt to name just a few.

Most importantly, throughout her burgeoning career, art and an activist life have collided, resulting in an inspiration and propensity to create socially-relevant work, inspired by that activism. This special calling has metamorphosed into compositions that reflect the powerful metaphysical force of music. The latest and perhaps most significant example of this is reflected in the Rearranged (The Yeoman Warders Project) which metaphorically describes the work that many do to stand on guard (and protect), and bring about social change through greater empathy and true respect for universal human rights. The central theme of this recording is reflected in the trilogy of compositions: "Come with Me", "Yeoman Warders" and (the two versions of) "Rearranged". Essentially, the inspiration for this music comes from the stated intention to promote the acceptance of diversity in society: The Yeoman Warders Project has been created in the hope of changing hearts and minds through the medium of music.

The trilogy reflects the Yeoman Warders Project mission:
"Come with Me" (track 3), is an invitation performed by Jovino Santos Neto Trio (featured in October 2019 on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert Series) together with vocalists Jenny Davis and Vanessa Littrell. The lyric beckons the listener into the world of acceptance, to challenge old beliefs, listen and celebrate the beauty of the truth. This misty composition by Davis which first introduces us to her metaphysical bent of mind and also draws in the inimitable Chuck Deardorf, widely regarded as one of the world's top jazz bassists and whose double bass solo is filled with much lyricism.

"Yeoman Warders" (track 5), is a suite in three movements for jazz saxophone quartet. The Yeoman Warders score for sax quartet includes three movements – the Prelude, entitled "Utopia Changes" expresses a time of innocence between a mother and child and is based on the belief that no harm will come to the child. Following this is by the Minor Blues section, a twist to the arrangement, which represents the truth unfolding and the "standing guard" in the face of lies, untruths, even hatred. Finally, the Interlude depicts the "Mother Bear" and her anger toward an unsafe culture. This music reflects the influence of Charles Mingus' Big Band, John Coltrane's music and the spirit of Gil Scott-Heron's as well. This is the first instrumental piece ever written by Davis; clearly no lyrics are needed. It speaks to her confidence and skills as a bonafide instrumental composer and arranger.

"Rearranged" (tracks 4 and 12), is a prayer, scored and orchestrated for string quartet. The album includes two versions: a live version with The Sirius String Quartet and a studio version performed by the Jovino Santos Neto piano trio. Both tracks have vocals. The studio version opens with a beautiful solo piano by Neto. At the heart of the song is Davis' yearning for a change of the human heart. The lyrics reflect its fervent prayer for all those who struggle with anger toward haters. "Rearrange me, " Davis pleads in her meditative lyric, asking to be changed "into someone choosing love/transform my anger/rise above." Then bolstered by this ardent prayer she finds solace in a final invocation "You said 'ask Me and you shall receive'/if you could change me/change them, too."

"As an artist, musician, producer, I've worked on many recording projects but this is different. It's not about one person, it's a collective work. Music is a powerful force, possessing the capacity to transform hearts, minds… and souls. With this project, I hope the collective intention will bridge gaps and change hearts." Jenny Davis

The album, of course, offers much more. Proceedings open with "Aceptar", which is a vocal bossa nova, composed and arranged by Davis in which horn and vocal lines intertwine. The track features the stellar Jovino Santos Neto Trio. Also stepping into the limelight is Kurt Festinger, who blows a mighty tenor saxophone solo followed by Neto's solo. Herbie Hancock's "And What If I Don't" was arranged by Seattle's Tim Carey. The song is borne aloft with delightful whimsy by Davis' angular approach to Hancock's song.

The inclusion of Bob Telson's "Calling You" is an inspired choice and melds into the album's sense of longing. Davis' version of the song is a lofty one and is up there with the very best interpretations of the song including versions by Jevetta Steele's and Celine Dion's – the formers from the film Baghdad Café. Dimitri Matheny's flugelhorn elevates the music to a rarefied realm. The song "Answer the Call" is a spellbinding arrangement by Neto and features violinist Heather Bentley. The mood flips between Davis' vocals and music that is by turns ruminative and dramatic, during which Neto excels too.

"Gemini Tango" is Davis' superb foray into the great Argentinean art form. Sensuality and fervor abound and the atmospherics are greatly enhanced by David Lange's accordion and Davis' lyric which is a "play" on astrology and romance.

"Her ability to easily translate from one transition to the next is a true testament to her musicianship as a vocalist and writer." CMJ Jazz Chart

“Wise Up” is another brilliant instrumental work by Davis – inspired by Slonimsky’s Thesaurus of Melodic Scales and Musical Patterns - the legendary volume with its comprehensive for composition and improvisation that musicians from Schoenberg to Coltrane have also sworn by. Its swinging rhythm is infectious and features the award-winning alto saxophonist Mark Taylor. This song also showcases the virtuoso ingenuity of each musician beginning with the pianist-leader, followed by a conversation between world-class drummer Jeff Busch and bassist Deardorf, who trade witty virtuoso phrases in the closing part of the song, after Taylor’s loping solo, Neto’s angular arpeggios, crashing chords and episodes of ululating melodic inventions.

Davis’ most ambitious recording to date ends with the breathtaking live version of “Rearranged” featuring the celebrated Sirius String Quartet. It is set alight by the Sirius’ award-winning violin virtuoso, Gregor Huebner. Davis joins in the closing half of the song to reprise her masterful lyric with a sensitive performance.

All of this turns this chamber version of the song into an epic recital of an extraordinary piece of music. It is a fitting end to Davis’ path-breaking album, highlighting the evolving genius of Davis’ artistry with something new and eloquent. And that is great music-making by any measure.
PLAYERS & INSTRUMENTS:
Jenny Davis: vocals and composition (except where noted)
Jovino Santos Neto: piano (Netto)
Chuck Deardorf: bass
Jeff Busch: drums
Kurt Festinger: tenor saxophone (Fest – stinger – like a bee)
Dimitri Matheny: flugelhorn (Math – eeeny Like Martini)
Mark Taylor: alto saxophone
Heather Bentley: viola/violin
David Lange: accordion
The Yeoman Warders Sax Quartet
Kate Olsen: soprano
Mark Taylor: alto
Cynthia Mullis: tenor
Jim Dejoie: baritone
Additional vocals
Lorrie Ruiz: (7)
Vanessa Littrell: (3)

TRACKS, COMPOSER, TIMES:
1. Aceptar (Jenny Davis) 3:59
2. And What If I Don’t (Herbie Hancock) 4:10
3. Come With Me (Jenny Davis) 3:47
4. Rearranged (Jenny Davis) 4:13
5. Yeoman Warders (Jenny Davis) 5:35
6. Invitation (Bronislau Kaper) 5:43
7. Saying Yes (Jenny Davis) 4:50
8. Calling You (Bob Telson) 4:21
9. Answer the Call (Jenny Davis) 5:02
10. Gemini Tango (Jenny Davis) 3:41
11. Wise Up (Jenny Davis) 5:00
12. Rearranged (Jenny Davis)- Bonus Track;
live performance by The Sirius String Quartet and Jenny Davis 5:22

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