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| Mike DiRubbo Inner Light (Truth Revolution Records) Celebrating his tenth release as a leader, alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo releases his highly anticipated new project, Inner Light, on TRRcollective. Fronting a new quartet featuring organist Brian Charette, drummer Jongkuk Kim, and guitarist Andrew Renfroe, Mike and Co. invite you to join them for an hour of musical storytelling of relatable life experiences. Artist: MIKE DiRUBBO Title: INNER LIGHT Artist Website: www.mikedirubbo.com www.truthrevolutionrecords.com Release Date: November 17, 2023 Label: Truth Revolution Records Catalog Number: TRRC076 UPC Code: 714651953980 MUSICIANS: Mike DiRubbo - Alto Saxophone Brian Charette - Hammond B3 Organ Andrew Renfroe - Guitar Jongkuk Kim - Drums TRACK LISTING 1. JK in NYC (4:15) 2. Scrollin' and Trollin' (3:47) 3. The Muse (8:24) 4. Bethune Street (5:43) 5. Love the Same (6:10) 6. Inner Light (6:29) 7. Brand New (6:41) 8. Straight Street (5:50) 9. The Moment Before Sunrise (7:36) 10. Campania (3:42) 11. Dearly Beloved (6:37) Engineered, Mixed, and Mastered by: Colin Mohnacs Producer: Mike DiRubbo Executive Producer: Richard Rogoff Recorded: 6/15/2023 at GB's Juke Joint Cover Photo: Jimmy Katz MIKE DIRUBBO 'INNER LIGHT' Veteran Alto Saxophonist Announces Tenth Album On TRRcollective November 17th 2023 On All Streaming Services NEW YORK – Celebrating his tenth release as a leader, alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo releases his highly anticipated new project, 'Inner Light, ' on November 17th 2023. Fronting a new quartet featuring organist Brian Charette, drummer Jongkuk Kim, and guitarist Andrew Renfroe, Mike and Co. invite you to join them for an hour of musical storytelling of relatable life experiences. When asked about the album title, Mike DiRubbo states, "To me our inner light is something that shines through all of us. It is a source of inspiration for ourselves which in turn shines out and influences the people around us. It is coming from a place of gratitude and positivity. The initial idea of this recording was to record my Chronos organ trio again. Brian Charette has been a big part of my music for quite awhile now, on both piano and organ. He is completely open to whatever I want to play and he always surprises me with what he creates. Jongkuk I've know since he was just out of Berklee College of Music and reconnected with him post pandemic. He has really blossomed into a great musician. Andrew Renfroe went to my alma mater at the Jackie McLean Institute decades after I did but I had been hearing about him from my colleagues. When I found out that "Chronos" was one of his favorite records I knew he was a kindred spirit and had to have him on the project! I believe he is one of the original voices on the guitar today." Glancing occasionally in the rearview mirror for perspective, Mike DiRubbo understands that too much time looking backwards is no way to get where you want to go. While a relatively latecomer in life to jazz, once he caught the bug, he eschewed a cure. But he refused to cast aside the music that preceded his jazz days, recognizing-as his teacher and mentor Jackie McLean told him-it's the sum of experiences that shapes one's sound. The eleven tracks on 'Inner Light' cover a lot of ground in 65 minutes. Wasting no time with warm-ups, the quartet drops into high gear immediately with 'JK in NYC, ' as Charette channels Larry Young and Keith Emerson in a Hammond masterclass. Scrollin' and Trollin', a metaphor for online life, packs a long message into four minutes before the explosive facemelter 'The Muse', a knotty micro-epic with high-caliber playing from the entire ensemble, and a stunning solo from Renfroe. Even as the band stretches out on long, evocative journeys like 'The Moment Before Sunrise, ' the performances celebrate memorable melodies with as much vigor as the edge-of-your-seat musicianship. The straightforward beauty of 'Love the Same'-celebrating disability inclusion, love, and support for differently-abled persons-is a powerful reminder that clarity and complexity can not only co-exist but augment and amplify one another. "New" is a relative term. While 'Inner Light' is their first studio outing, Mike's quartet is composed of musicians who've been in his orbit for years, playing music with roots that stretch back decades. But something doesn't have to BE new to FEEL new, and that's where 'Inner Light' shines brightest. Hear it for yourself, and catch Mike's quartet at a club near you while you can-bigger venues and pricier tickets seem inevitable, and right around the corner. write your comments about the article :: © 2023 Jazz News :: home page |