JOHN MACMURCHY'S ART OF BREATH
New Album OUT NOVEMBER 9
VOLUME 2
+ ALBUM RELEASE CONCERT
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15
1585 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON
Doors 6:30 pm | Music 7:30 pm
“A fleet, accomplished reedman with a knack for writing and arranging"
- Christopher Loudon, Vocal Jazz Critic: JazzTimes
"A diverse variety of always tuneful jazz with guaranteed appeal to a wide range of listeners.”
- Mark Rheaume, CBC Radio
“Sonically refreshing.”
– Ted Quinlan, The Wholenote
On the new album, MacMurchy masterfully weaves samba, bebop and fusion elements together in inventive arrangements - highly sophisticated, but always accessible. This rich musical tapestry is highlighted by breathtaking vocal and instrumental performances, to create a progressive, yet timeless, body of work. The album starts off with 'Calliope', a declaration of love set in a lush soundscape, featuring a gorgeous nylon guitar solo.
Next is 'Meu Coraçao Canta', which translates from Portuguese as 'My Heart Sings' and describes the joy in writing for, and working with musicians and beautiful people. 'The Remains' is about the damage we do when we play with other people’s affections in an effort to hide our own insecurity. 'Voice of America' is an anthemic and ominous musical criticism of American foreign policy. It features Bruce Cassidy doing things on the EVI that apparently you’re not supposed to be able to do. The organized chaos of 'WTF' is a response to both mass shootings and the vulgar chaos sown by the Trump administration. 'February Brings the Rain' features vocalist Jocelyn Barth with a one take, live off the floor, no overdubs performance of the famous Bobby Troup song. 'Slippery When Wet' explores the delight in sliding between time signatures.
'Autumn Brown and Blue' deals with being deeply in love with a friend as the days grow shorter and the light fades. This arrangement features Olivia Esther on horn, and a vocally demanding interpretation handled with grace and depth by Jessica Lalonde.
John MacMurchy has released four full length records to critical acclaim and international airplay, including Art of Breath Volume One (2016), Silent Partner (2014), Outside The Ministry of Truth (2004) and Product '58 (1999). In between he has worked with artists such as Guido Basso, Henry Mancini, Linda Ronstadt, Peter Appleyard, as well as being in demand as a sideman on the Toronto scene.
John MacMurchy leads ART OF BREATH, a group of superb Toronto jazz musicians, on a musical journey that crosses borders and musical traditions; deep grooves, Brazilian rhythms, and straight-ahead jazz.
Original Music & Woodwinds - John S. MacMurchy - Copyright 2018
Bruce Cassidy - EVI, Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Dan Ionescu - Guitar
Stacie McGregor - Piano
Ross MacIntyre - Bass
Daniel Barnes - Drums
Alan Hetherington - Percussion
Jessica Lalonde - Vocals
Jocelyn Barth- Vocals
Olivia Esther - French Horn
Paul Tarussov - Trombone
Maninho Costa - Percussion
Recorded by Jeremy Darby & Julian DeCorte
Canterbury Music Company in Toronto
Mixed by John "Beetle" Bailey at The Drive Shed
Mastered by Peter Letros at Wreckhouse Mastering
Design by Tom Ionescu with cover paintings by Jessica Lalonde
Photography by Jen Squires
