3-time Grammy winner John Daversa releases "ALL WITHOUT WORDS: Variations Inspired by Loren," with Justin Morell

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3-time Grammy winner John Daversa releases "ALL WITHOUT WORDS: Variations Inspired by Loren," with Justin Morell

Trumpet master JOHN DAVERSA is releasing his newest album, ALL WITHOUT WORDS: Variations Inspired by Loren, a lush, orchestral jazz trumpet concerto composed by his lifelong friend and collaborator JUSTIN MORELL. As a parent of an autistic child, Morell conceived the album when Daversa asked him to write a large-scale orchestral jazz piece. Loren, Morell’s son, struggled with the basics of communication from a very young age and lost his ability to speak by the time he was 3 years old. Raising an autistic child is fraught with challenges, but the bond of love between a parent and child is uncompromising and indelible. The album is a paean to the trials, tribulations, successes, and heart-warming moments of raising a 16-yearold non-verbal son. It is a story, told in music, about connection and compassion, pain and prevailing love. ALL WITHOUT WORDS: Variations Inspired by Loren is a gorgeous album. Daversa is a musician of the highest caliber. His rock-solid chops and soulful, sensitive approach make the perfect vehicle for portraying the inner life of a special child. Morell did not set out to speak on behalf of individuals with autism. Rather, he explains, “What began as a mission to celebrate neurodiversity became an opportunity for me to connect with my son and hear his voice in a way I had not before. The music is born of intense emotion—sometimes painful and sometimes joyful—and of hope for a compassionate future where all people are loved and respected for their humanity.”

Personnel

John Daversa trumpet

Scott Flavin orchestra conductor

Amanda Quist choir conductor

Rhythm Section: Tal Cohen piano, Justin Morell guitars, Dion Kerr bass,

David Chiverton drums

Strings:

Violin I: Abby Young (concertmaster), Siobhan Cronin, Karen Lord-Powell,

Steffen Zeichner, Sheena Gutierrez, Ashley Liberty

Violin II: Svetlana Kosakovskoya, Yuhao Zhou, Julia Jakkel, Orlando Forte,

Katarina Nazarova

Viola: Matt Nabours, Vishnu Ramankutty, Ross DeBardelaben

Cello: Brent Charran, Shea Kole, Tadao Ito

Bass: Brian Powell, Ethan Olaguibel

Winds: Jennifer Grim flute, Alyssa Mena flute & alto flute, Troy Roberts

soprano & tenor saxophone, Melvin Butler soprano & tenor saxophone,

Matt Clarke clarinet, Frankie Capoferri clarinet & bass clarinet,

Gabriel Beavers bassoon, Melanie Villarreal bassoon, Richard Todd horn,

Stan Spinola horn

Percussion: Antoni Olesik timpani, vibraphone, glockenspiel, marimba

Choir: Emily Finke soprano, Safia Zaman soprano, Alexandra Colaizzi alto,

Kate Reid alto, Noah Zaidspiner tenor, Sidney O’Gorman tenor, Dylan Melville

Bass, Thandolwethu Mamba bass

Guest musicians: Lev Garfein violin, Conrad Fok piano

Tracks

1. LOREN’S THEME 4:09

2. SEARCHING BUT NEVER FINDING 4:48

3. TWO STEPS FORWARD 6:30

4. SEEING IT AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME 7:39

5. THE URGENCY OF EVERY MOMENT 5:09

6. INVISIBLE THINGS 6:47

7. WALKING IN OUR OWN FOOTSTEPS/THE CIRCLE GAME 5:51

8. THE SMALLEST THING 8:02

9. A DAY IS FOREVER/LIKE ANY OTHER 6:16

10. THREE ROADS DIVERGED 4:59

11. LEARNING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE 6:06

12. IT’S ENOUGH TO BE HERE, NOW 7:02

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