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| David Larsen, Cohesion (Larsen Jazz) David Larsen is a saxophonist, composer, and recording artist based in Spokane, Washington. David frequently performs and tours around the US and is a recording artist for the G2 Records label. He currently has 12 commercial releases out and has won numerous accolades, including staying at #1 on the Root Music Report independent radio charts for 9 weeks with his album The Peplowski Project. David has performed with a variety of artists, including. Ken Peplowski, Delbert Anderson, Francisco Torres, The Spokane Symphony, Dave Glenn, Ron Vincent, Bill Mays, Dean Johnson, and the internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist Halie Loren. Cohesion, Larsen's latest release is a collaboration between East Coast jazz musicians Darryl Yokley, Zaccai Curtis, Alex Apollo, Wayne Smith Jr. and West Coast composer and saxophonist David Larsen. Larsen explains, "I met this group when they were on tour in the Northwest, and I really loved the sound they were getting from their original compositions and their group dynamic. After talking for a bit, I decided to bring them out to work with the students at Spokane Falls Community College and appear as the guests for the Jazz Workshop. While they were out, we played some gigs and went into the studio to record this album. I wanted to capture some of the great vibes I heard from this group with my new compositions. These styles were a bit foreign for me, but I love a challenge, so I leaped in with both feet." The title track, "Cohesion, " is a modal composition based on two modes played at once. That means the first chord defines the tonal center while the melody is based on a similar mode a perfect fifth away. "Down To It" is also a modal composition, but it is reminiscent of great modal tunes of the 1960s like Coltrane's Impressions. "Movement" explores simple triads and suspended chords and takes inspiration from great pop tunes of the 1960s. "Wishing Well" was inspired by Darryl's African-inspired compositions. It has an Afro-Cuban groove and uses a syncopated 12/8 pattern to create the feel. "Fedchock" is a hard bop piece inspired by the great Jazz Messengers. "Working Things Out" is a version of a big band chart Larsen published that utilizes modal harmonies and a relaxed vibe. The last two pieces, written by Darryl, reminded Larsen of the great Wayne Shorter and John Coltrane compositions. He admits, "they are a real challenge to play over, but well worth it." Larsen in summation, "this project was a great stretch for me as a player and composer, but it has been an absolute joy to put together, and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it." PLAYER & INSTRUMENT: David Larsen: Baritone Sax Darryl Yokley: Tenor Sax Zaccai Curtis: Piano, Alex Apollo: Bass Wayne Smith Jr: Drums Tracks 1 - 6 Composed By David Larsen, Tracks 7 - 8 By Darryl Yokley Recording Engineer: Steve Gamberoni, Mixing And Mastering: David Larsen TRACKS, TIMES, COMPOSER: 1. Cohesion: 4:50 (David Larsen) 2. Down To It: 4:37 (David Larsen) 3. Movement: 7:42 (David Larsen) 4. Wishing Well: 5:16 (David Larsen) 5. Fedchock: 5:19 (David Larsen) 6. Working Things Out: 6:16 (David Larsen) 7. Mount Fuji: 4:46 (Darryl Yokley) 8. El Duelo: 6:25 (Darryl Yokley) Artist: David Larsen Album: Cohesion Street Date: March 1, 2024 Add Date: February 26, 2024 Label: Larsen Jazz SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/7Lv3V Website: larsenjazz.com Youtube Channel: youtube.com/@larsenjazzmusic Fedchock - from the album: https://youtu.be/VN7mOf4T_ts Instragram: instagram.com/larsenjazz YouTube: youtube.com/@larsenjazzmusic EARLY REVIEWS: The textures are palpable as the two cruise in high gear on a modal "Down To It" and are bold on the snappy "Mount Fuji". Larsen has room filling sound, soulful on "Fedchock" and glorious on a graceful "Working Things Out" that includes some lyrical work by Curtis. Smith cracks the whip on the hip "Movement" and teams up with Apollo to create a rich cadence on ""Wishing Well". Reed rapture. -George Harris, JazzWeekly This delightful new recording opens on the radiant rhythms that bring the titular Cohesion together and the upbeat Down To It and they are then followed by the low slung swing of Movement and the playfully perky Wishing Well. Up next is the triumphantly-charged Fedchock and is itself backed by the luxuriantly-hued Working Things Out, the album rounding out on the soaringly upbeat melodies within Mount Fuji, closing on the jaunty strength of sculpted magnificence within the spirited El Duelo. -Russell Trunk, Exclusive Magazine 8 perfectly crafted tracks that even make this album seem a bit short. David Larsen, like a painter, draws the melodic lines and takes us into a universe that, despite being particularly complex in terms of composition, remains perfectly accessible. That's what we call great art! The spirit of Coltrane or Wayne Shorter seems to linger over each track; we get carried away by this welcome boldness, especially since David Larsen is of that caliber, with a classic form like Coltrane and the audacity of Wayne Shorter. What more could one ask for? -Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move write your comments about the article :: © 2024 Jazz News :: home page |