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| Nicholas Brust - Frozen in Time - Fresh Sounds Records - 5-1-2020 Heralded as a premiere saxophonist of his generation, Nicholas Brust has established his voice in the world of modern jazz. He has found his niche as a bandleader and composer, taking advantage of the numerous textures and combinations available in small-group improvised music, from duo to sextet. While Nicholas has performed with numerous highly acclaimed musicians in NYC, he makes a priority of working with up-and-coming talent that he believes in. Nicholas is currently on faculty at The Music Conservatory of Westchester, Elefante School for the Performing Arts, and The Hudson School. Nicholas released an EP of original music entitled in January 2015. Brooklyn Folk Songs "showcases a set of original compositions that infuse sturdy melodies with a rich, contemporary harmonic palette...like the borough for which it's named - encompasses a variety of moods along with its own unique accent" (David Kastin). Since then, Nicholas has continued to showcase his compositional and improvisational talents in a series of videos that can be found on his Youtube channel. Nicholas recently recorded his debut full-length album, Frozen in Time, with Fresh Sound Records, and plans to release it in Spring 2020. The album features exclusively original material composed by Nicholas. Before moving to New York, Nicholas attended New England Conservatory in Boston where he studied with Jerry Bergonzi, Frank Carlberg, Ran Blake, John McNeil, Donny McCaslin, and Miguel Zenón. He graduated with honors in May 2012 with a Master's degree in Jazz Performance. Prior to attending NEC, Nicholas attended the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Walt Weiskopf, Harold Danko, and Chien-Kwan Lin. Nicholas graduated in May 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies and Music Education. Nicholas has continued his studies in New York with Will Vinson and Lage Lund. Nicholas has many influences, but the most prominent voices that have influenced his style in recent years are Michael Brecker, George Coleman, Robert Glasper, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Kenny Garrett, Roy Hargrove, Frank Strozier, and Bob Berg. Youtube Link - Click Picture TRACKS: 1.) Work Ahead (7.53) Thousands of jazz musicians have been inspired by the challenges of moving to New York City and breaking into its unparalleled music scene. Since NYC became the epicenter for jazz innovation in the 1930s, it has had a reputation for being extremely demanding, but also for yielding a wealth of opportunities. This song is my musical representation of my experiences with that combination of struggle and reward. 2.) Hearts and Spades (7.36) This song was a loose attempt at stepping out of my comfort zone and writing a "pop jazz" tune. It starts with a counterpoint line between the piano and bass, and builds to its climax all the way till the end, the guitar solo over the ostinato. 3.) Brooklyn Folk Song (6.48) I spent my first five years in New York living in a few different neighborhoods in Brooklyn, and regularly ran around Prospect Park. This song is based on the feelings of inner peace I experienced in my time there. When I play this song, I always imagine running through that park in a light rain, damp leaves under my feet, surrounded by orange-red trees. 4.) Frozen In Time (6.09) I found inspiration in an unusual place while writing this tune. Its sound was originally inspired by Chris Cheek's Ice Fall from his album Vine, which I spent many hours listening to on loop. But I had simultaneously been reading Seven Brief Lessons On Physics by Carlo Rovelli, which describes a surprising relationship between time and temperature, in which time actually slows down with the absence of heat. 5.) Hymnal For Those In Need (4.01) This song is inspired by the many injustices in the world; Trump's rise to power and the general global regression of politics that occurred in 2016; those that live each day without knowing where their next meal is coming from; the children who had to endure separation from their parents at the border between the U.S. and Mexico; the misinformation that contributes to a sharply divided political climate that dupes otherwise intelligent and/or good people into supporting ideals that are not in the best interest of 99% of the people. This is supposed to be a song comprised of songs; hence the the word "hymnal" instead of "hymn." 6.) Adversity (6.14) This tune is yet another homage to the NYC music scene and rigors involved with being a musician here. I originally conceived this tune for a recital in 2012 and finished it in 2017. Some parts of this melody were inspired by the fourths language of George Coleman and how it lays over modern jazz harmony. 7.) Something Like A Storm (3.46) I was inspired to create a musical form modeled after a storm. It starts out somewhat mellow, builds to an uptempo section, and eventually blows itself out. 8.) Soliloquy in F Minor (7.31) This tune was written in 2013 after I had spent a lot of time listening to various Robert Glasper and Roy Hargrove recordings. It is a tribute to that world of R&B and modern grooves, and as well as modern jazz harmonies. 9.) A Shifting State (3.47) After spending hours practicing different ways to feel odd meters, I came up with Shifting State. My goal was to write a singable, catchy melody that floated over the top of a constantly shifting rhythmic framework, primarily represented in the bass line. PLAYERS & INSTRUMENTS: Nicholas Brust, saxophone (all tracks) Ben Eunson, guitar (tracks 1-4, 5, 6, 9) Tuomo Uusitalo, piano (tracks 1-8) Josh Allen, bass (all tracks) Jay Sawyer, drums (tracks 1-8) write your comments about the article :: © 2020 Jazz News :: home page |