Choices (self-released)
William Carn
Released October 18, 2023
JAZZ.FM91 Best Jazz Albums of 2023
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lhKcbyZveVrUxG6jyWbDrG2a3d75S9Yco
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About:
This latest recording project by William Carn is inspired by some of the emotions and events over the past two and a half years. Everything on earth was affected by the global pandemic as it made us stop. Reaction and reflection are the two central themes but in the end, we try to find gratitude.
Juno award-winning artist William Carn has emerged as one of Canada’s leading contemporary jazz trombonists and composers.
As a bandleader, William is currently focusing energies on his new solo project called Choices – a project of reflection. William’s other passion is the Carn Davidson 9, an ensemble he co-leads with his wife and saxophonist, Tara Davidson. This group features 9 of Canada’s best jazz musicians and has produced 3 highly-acclaimed recordings. The History of Us, released in Nov. 2021, is a musical reflection on family, migration, love and loss.
He has performed and recorded with jazz artists including Rob McConnell, Randy Brecker, David Binney, Kenny Wheeler, Tim Hagans, Barry Harris, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Vince Mendoza, Don Braden, Mike Murley, Hilario Duran, Andrew Downing, Jim McNeely, and John Clayton.
Track Listing:
1. Breathe In 1:16
2. The Inertia Of Complacency 5:37
3. Heroyim Slava 3:17
4. Get Up 6:09
5. Goodbye Old Friend
6. The Gift 6:45
7. Breathe Out 0:49
All compositions by William Carn
Personnel:
William Carn: keyboards, vocals, trombone
HiFiLo (aka Todd Pentney): keyboards (2, 3, 4, 5)
William Sperandei: trumpet (2 & 4)
Kelly Jefferson: tenor saxophone (2)
Jesse Ryan: alto saxophone (4)
Ernesto Cervini: drums (2)
Larnell Lewis: drums (4)
Davide Direnzo: drums (6)
Ernesto Cervini’s drum track was recorded at GMP Studio
All other musicians recorded remotely from their own homes from
April-September, 2022.
Produced & Mixed by HiFiLo (aka Todd Pentney)
Mastered by Justin Gray
Photos by William Carn & Tara Davidson
Graphic Design by Yeşim Tosuner
This recording was made possible by the generous support of the Canada Council For The Arts.
Review:
The latest recording from premiere trombonist William Carn is appropriately titled, because someone with Carn’s talent, dedication, professionalism, and creativity has a lot of choices for he could have made with this project. The ones he did make are interesting, tasteful, and even a little out of the norm for Carn. Choices has a decidedly modern vibe yet still maintains connections with strong melodies, interesting harmonic development, and exceptional playing by a terrific crew of guest musicians. Carn, one of the most sought-after musicians on the Toronto scene today, performs with a number of outstanding ensembles, including Turboprop, the Nimmons Tribute, and the Carn Davidson 9 (which he co-leads with Tara Davidson). With this new solo recording, Carn showcases a diversity of approach and modernity of tone that doesn’t eschew his incredibly strong traditional roots.
Heather Bambrick (JAZZ.FM91)
