Source & Label:
Genre: Contemporary Jazz
GAB's rating: ★★★★★
“While We’re Still Young is as close to a musical self-portrait as I’m capable of creating. It’s simultaneously a multi-generational tribute album, a gathering of close friends, and a starkly personal expression of who I am as an artist and individual.”
— Patrick Cornelius
While We’re Still Young is the sixth and latest album by the critically acclaimed, award-winning saxophonist and composer Patrick Cornelius which brings together seven of the most accomplished young artists in contemporary jazz in order to breathe life into a suite of new original music inspired by the universally-treasured poetry of English literary icon A. A. Milne.
Cornelius’ personal connection to the sweet, whimsical verses in the timeless collection When We Were Very Young spans several generations. Milne’s classic trove documenting the childhood exploits of his son Christopher Robin were read first by his grandmother to his mother as a baby, and then by his mother to him and his brothers in turn. At the birth of Patrick’s own first child, Isabella, the family’s copy of When We Were Very Young was passed down to him, so that he could continue the tradition. “From the very first time I started reading these poems to Isabella, I remember an instant desire to write music inspired by each individual vignette,” the composer recalls.
— Patrick Cornelius
While We’re Still Young is the sixth and latest album by the critically acclaimed, award-winning saxophonist and composer Patrick Cornelius which brings together seven of the most accomplished young artists in contemporary jazz in order to breathe life into a suite of new original music inspired by the universally-treasured poetry of English literary icon A. A. Milne.
Cornelius’ personal connection to the sweet, whimsical verses in the timeless collection When We Were Very Young spans several generations. Milne’s classic trove documenting the childhood exploits of his son Christopher Robin were read first by his grandmother to his mother as a baby, and then by his mother to him and his brothers in turn. At the birth of Patrick’s own first child, Isabella, the family’s copy of When We Were Very Young was passed down to him, so that he could continue the tradition. “From the very first time I started reading these poems to Isabella, I remember an instant desire to write music inspired by each individual vignette,” the composer recalls.
"Cornelius is a talent worth watching."
★★★★ Jazzwise Magazine
★★★★ Jazzwise Magazine
"Eight
brilliant musicians... A cheerful celebration of life and youth with
finely crafted arrangements leaving beautiful spaces for the soloists."
Culture Jazz (FR)
Culture Jazz (FR)
"Full of richly orchestrated music with elements of Duke Ellington, Gil Evans, Bach and Debussy."
Long Play Newsletter (blog PL)
Long Play Newsletter (blog PL)
This
work shouldn't just be labelled "chamber jazz" since it's very much
more than that. Like its elegant cover, it's actually a work of art."
★★★★ All About Jazz
★★★★ All About Jazz
"Accessible
yet intricate themes, lyrically flowing music, great solos and gorgeous
ensemble playing, this is an album you will want to play again and
again! Highly recommended."
Fatea Magazine
Fatea Magazine
"Cornelius
has created a work of genuine substance, the writing often complex,
multi-layered yet always adroit, deploying his resources well, the
melodic moments often memorable, the solo excursions largely pleasing,
the effect at times like a miniature Schneider ensemble."
★★★★ Jazzwise Magazine
★★★★ Jazzwise Magazine
"The
way this octet shapes the solos as mere extensions of dynamic group
play, of something very organic grown from the soil of ensemble
communication, is arguably the album’s winning quality."
Bird Is The Worm
Bird Is The Worm
"This is a superb album. The writing is brilliant."
Bebop Spoken Here
Bebop Spoken Here
"Sparky
settings for [Cornelius'] own solos and those of a polished ensemble
including pianist Gerald Clayton, trombonist Nick Vayenas, and guitarist
Miles Okazaki... Debussy, Ellington and Charlie Parker audibly guide
Cornelius here."
The Guardian
The Guardian
"An entire album peppered
with goosebumps-inducing moments... Cornelius’s music and messages
resonate broadly and vividly, reminding any listener of what’s most
precious to us all."
Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa Citizen
"Much playfulness in the playing... An excellent listen."
The Jazz Breakfast
The Jazz Breakfast
"His
arrangements, intricate with secondary motifs and contrasting
counterlines create vivid musical counterparts for Milne's imagery."
New York City Jazz Record
New York City Jazz Record
"The
engaging music is performed by an octet of Cornelius's colleagues and
nicely combines interesting ensembles with inspired ensembles."
Northern Echo
Northern Echo
"This
is vibrant, highly colourful music full of good compositional ideas and
some great playing, with all members of the ensemble contributing
strongly."
★★★★ The Jazz Mann
★★★★ The Jazz Mann
"A joy from beginning to end... Patrick Cornelius takes a giant step forward with this project."
1. Sand Between the Toes
2. Water Lilies
3. Jonathan Jo
4. The Invaders
5. Lines and Squares
6. Vespers
2. Water Lilies
3. Jonathan Jo
4. The Invaders
5. Lines and Squares
6. Vespers
Patrick Cornelius - alto/soprano saxes, flute, compositions
Jason Palmer - trumpet
John Ellis - tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
Nick Vayenas - trombone
Miles Okazaki - guitar
Gerald Clayton - piano
Peter Slavov - bass
Kendrick Scott - drums
Jason Palmer - trumpet
John Ellis - tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
Nick Vayenas - trombone
Miles Okazaki - guitar
Gerald Clayton - piano
Peter Slavov - bass
Kendrick Scott - drums
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