Bridges (Fwé Culture)
Jesse Ryan
Released December 4, 2020
JAZZ FM 25 Best Jazz Albums of 2020
Juno Award Nominee Jazz Album of the Year: Solo 2022
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_miDU75wm_myv97jXgHFyASUyhFjcD71HA
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/2dT3Hl5qehDwbQyYkLfg8a?si=g_Zrp1FxSBmmK7yK-sltCA
About:
The debut recording of saxophonist and composer Jesse
Ryan entitled Bridges, is an eclectic and honest offering that straddles both
jazz and Afro-Caribbean traditions – A true celebration of the cultural,
rhythmic and expressive connections between North America and the islands of
the Caribbean.
His Bridges project was formed in 2016 to explore his passion for composing,
performing, and recording music that celebrated his Trinbagonian heritage and
love for the jazz tradition. The album features nine tracks that are either an
idiomatic bridge between musical traditions or was written to present an idea
in the form of an anecdotal narrative that encourages the listener to evolve by
bridging the gap between their former and future selves.
Three of the tracks on the album feature Tambrin drumming, performed by members
of the Mt. Cullane Tambrin Band – a drumming tradition from Jesse’s homeland
that is unique to the island of Tobago and has remained largely unchanged from
when it began in colonial times. A Tambrin band normally includes five
musicians playing three frame drums (three shallow goatskin drums, one triangle
and one violin or harmonica. The first of the three is the opening track of the
album, Big Ole Shoes, a medium-tempo Jig. The second, Right To Be Wrong, a
slow, ballad-like rhythm referred to as the Brush Back, and the third, Sons Of
The Soil, (S.O.T.S) an up-tempo Reel.
In keeping with the goal of bridging cultures, this project brings together
some of the finest young musicians from Toronto, Canada and Trinidad and Tobago
and was co-produce by the Grammy Award winning drummer, musician Larnell
Lewis.
Track Listing:
Jesse Ryan: saxophones, percussion (2)
Ewen Farncombe: piano, Fender Rhodes
Marc Rogers: bass
David Richards: drums
Andrew Marzotto: guitar (1, 9)
Sean Clarey: guitar (2, 3) Joanna Majoko: voice (3, 6)
Lucian Gray: guitar (6, 7)
Nicolas Frangini-Salvo: congas (7)
Mt. Cullane Tambrin Band (1, 5, 9, 10)
Personnel:
Recorded March 6 and November 18, 2019, at The Canterbury Music Company, Toronto, by Jeremey Darby and Julian Decorte
Joanna Majoko recorded June 6, 2019, at GMP Studios, Toronto, by Marito Marques
Tambrin session recorded June 15, 2019, at Shaw Park cultural Complex, Tobago, by Robin Foster
Mixing & Mastering: Dave Darlington
Co-Producer: Larnell Lewis
Design & Art Direction: Fwé Culture (Design)
Review:
Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Jesse Ryan was surrounded by music both in his family and his community. He blends those sounds into his own music on his debut recording Bridges (technically released at the tail end of 2020, but which really had its moment this past year). The sax player and composer delivers a unique and fresh-sounding album that jumps right out of the speakers. With great musicians backing him up and the help of co-producer Larnell Lewis to realize his vision, Bridges shows a new talent that is already fully formed. We’re looking forward to what comes next.
Brad Barker (JAZZ.FM91)
