Messages (Empress Legacy)
Jazzmeia Horn
Released October 25, 2024
DownBeat Four-and-a-Half-Star Review
JazzTimes 2024 Year in Review
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lMHwxgMRSQAJ0Aa-o_v9aKJoXEgEQKXP0
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About:
Grammy-nominated powerhouse Jazzmeia Horn, one of jazz’s most captivating contemporary voices, returns with Messages (Empress Legacy Records), masterfully blending the richness of jazz tradition with bold, modern expression.
Showcasing 10 original compositions alongside the new single, “You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me,” – a fresh reimagining of the 1932 classic, the album radiates timelessness while carving an innovative path forward. With Messages, Horn invites listeners into her personal world, delivering a sound that is both intimate and daring, cementing her status as a fearless storyteller and visionary artist in the evolving landscape of jazz. Messages is available now on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
Departing from the big band arrangements of her acclaimed 2021 album Dear Love, Horn takes a more focused approach on Messages, paring back her ensemble to let her voice take center stage. The result is a collection of songs that showcase the breadth of her vocal range while embracing a raw, emotional authenticity.
“This album is like a conversation with my soul,” Horn reflects on her third release, Messages. “It’s about love, healing, and the courage to embrace who you are—even when the world tries to dim your light.”
The album’s standout tracks are rich with storytelling. “Sing Your Own Song” is a heartfelt ode to Horn’s mother, who sacrificed her own dreams of a musical career to support her family. Written as both a tribute and a call to persevere, the song carries a powerful message of self-belief inspired by her mother’s unwavering encouragement to never stop singing, a lesson that has stayed with Horn and one she hopes to pass on to others.
“Mother’s Love” is an emotional exploration of the joys and heartaches of motherhood, inspired by Horn’s experience balancing life on the road with her deep connection to her children. Its unpredictable melodies and shifting rhythms beautifully capture the push-and-pull of her dual roles as an artist and a mother.
In “Mysteries of Us,” Horn collaborates with acclaimed trumpeter Marquis Hill, creating a lush and soulful piece that delves into the spirituality and vulnerability of her current relationship. Elsewhere, Horn takes bold creative risks on tracks like “Voicemail Blues” and “FLIP’D’SWITCH,” incorporating voicemails from her personal life—ranging from heartfelt messages from loved ones to a fiery exchange with an ex-partner. These sonic snapshots bring raw, relatable moments into the music, making Messages an intensely personal yet universally compelling experience.
“I don’t just sing for myself—I sing for those who need to feel seen, heard, and encouraged,” Horn explains. “Messages is my way of saying, ‘You’re not alone, and your story matters.’”
Messages solidifies Jazzmeia Horn as one of contemporary jazz’s most vital voices, blending tradition and innovation with an unmatched depth of feeling. With its heartfelt narratives and fearless creativity, this album promises to leave an indelible mark on all who listen.
Track Listing:
1. Happy Livin’ 5:44
2. Submit To The Unknown 9:10
3. Destiny 7:23
4. Tip 4:15
5. Mother’s Love 5:09
6. Sing Your Own Song 6:06
7. Voicemail Blues 3:54
8. Mysteries Of Us 9:19
9. Don’t Forget Your Love 4:39
10. You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me 13:05
11. Flip ‘D’ Switch 7:08
12. You’re Getting To Be a Habit With Me 4:00
Personnel:
Jazzmeia Horn: vocals
Marquis Hill: trumpet (8)
Trunino Lowe: trumpet (2, 11)
Anthony Ware: flute, tenor saxophone (2, 3, 11)
Stacy Dillard: soprano saxophone (3, 9, 11)
Keith Brown: piano, keyboards (1, 6, 10, 11)
Victor Gould: piano, keyboards (2-5, 7-9)
Eric Wheeler: bass
Anwar Marshall: drums
Khalil Kwamé Bell: percussion (2, 3, 8)
Review:
Every listener’s taste in vocalists is highly subjective, as is each individual’s concept of creative limits. So when Jazzmeia Horn pushes her voice to what surely must be the very highest parts of her range on a long jam of “You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me,” or creates a “song” from a collection of voicemails, you’re best to forgive her those few excesses if they result in this kind of powerful declaration of artistic and emotional freedom. The engaging “Happy Livin’” sets the tone, with crisp backing by keyboardist Keith Brown, bassist Eric Wheeler and drummer Anwar Marshall, as well as uninhibited scatting by Horn. The rhythm section — with Victor Gould on keys — also powers an exceptional musical journey on “Submit To The Unknown,” which roams from an Afro-centric introduction through bop-inflected blowing by saxophonist Anthony Ware to compelling vocals from the leader. From that appealing opening pair, Horn moves from strength to strength, building to the soulful swing of “Mother’s Love,” a showcase for both her and the band, and the gorgeously textured “Sing Your Own Song.” Given the range and power of the opening half-dozen pieces, it’s easy to forgive the frivolity of “Voicemail Blues” as the tone shifts to the closing four songs — noticeably more relaxed, including the breezy “Don’t Forget Your Love,” the 13-minute, range-stretching blowout of “You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me” and the fierce wordplay on the valedictory “Flip ’D’ Switch.” She goes out swinging and proud. However you regard those upperrange notes, give Horn her due; she has unlimited avenues for emotional expression and the chops to deliver with impact, whichever way she chooses to go.
James Hale (DownBeat)
