| Jazz |
As always, it is good to know the origin of a group of musicians, especially when the impressive album is a beautiful discovery aimed at a city-dwelling and somewhat intellectual audience. The jazz faculty that Western Michigan University has quietly assembled over the years is an impressive collection of internationally renowned artists, boasting an astonishing list of recording and touring credits as leaders and sidemen. Having converged in Kalamazoo from their bases in New York, Los Angeles, and Boston, the teaching colleagues became members of a band with the formation of the Western Jazz Collective, and their debut album, *Dark Journey*, reveals the magic that happens when time, place, and chance intersect. The collective includes Greg Jasperse (vocals), Scott Cowan (trumpet), Andrew Rathbun (saxophones), Matthew Fries (piano), Keith Hall (drums), Matt Landon (guitar), and John Hébert (bass). It’s an exciting time for the group as they usher in a new era of jazz in Michigan.
Regarding Andrew Rathbun, if you’re looking for more information on this musician, I recommend the article I wrote in 2023 about his album *The Speed Of Time*. This album is somewhat a continuation of certain Weather Report albums in terms of sound exploration and solo instrument management. Bringing together so much talent, it was expected that this album would be incredibly rich to the point where it’s hard to distinguish between musical composition and arrangement, as both areas are taken to the extreme. And the effect is felt across all the artists, starting with saxophonist Andrew Rathbun, who seems to explore all possibilities here with a sense of tranquility, even during the most rhythmic moments. It’s even amusing to see the Western Jazz Collective appearing at the end of this page on Western Michigan University’s site: https://wmich.edu/jazz/about/ensembles. Again, don’t expect major electronic effects here; this is a big band rooted in both jazz and classical music.
The compositions don’t necessarily seek an aesthetic form to please. The tracks unfold like chapters of a novel for a well-rounded *Dark Journey*. Andrew Rathbun’s compositions are elevated by musicians who seem to take great pleasure in playing, collaborating on works that are far from simple, where the sonic backdrop is as dynamic as the main instrument. Among his peers, Andrew holds a place of honor, and it’s easy to see why.
An industrious saxophonist and imaginative composer-arranger.
– The New York Times
A crafty saxophonist and composer whose ambitious work over the past decade has eluded the wider recognition it deserves.
– The New Yorker
Toronto native Andrew Rathbun is one of the most thoughtful and curious saxophonists to emerge in New York over the past decade.
– The Chicago Reader
The Canadian saxophonist/composer is a gifted performer who writes challenging and complex pieces.
– The Irish Times
Andrew Rathbun is an artist who takes chances with his recordings. You don’t hear any paint-by-the-numbers jazz discs from him.
– All About Jazz
And once again, this won’t be the time we remove Andrew Rathburn from our list of ‘Essential’ albums, which here honors both the composer and the musicians for this excellent album.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, October 10th 2024
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Track Listing:
1 Making No Sense 12:30
2 Infinite Being 9:03
3 National Nightmare 5:53
4 Different Directions 6:24
5 February First 10:08
6 Longer Wait 9:19
7 Echoes 9:24
8 Line 4:53
9 Reading the Exits 7:30
All compositions by Andrew Rathbun (Broatchmusic, SOCAN)
Western Jazz Collective is:
Greg Jasperse – voice
Scott Cowan – trumpet
Andrew Rathbun – soprano & tenor saxophones, bass clarinet, WX7
Matt Landon – guitar
Matthew Fries – acoustic & electric piano
John Hébert – bass
Keith Hall – drums
special guest: Kevin “Bujo” Jones – percussion