Saturday, February 19, 2022

Iwan VanHetten - Parabbean Tales (February 2022 Blue Canoe Records)

Blue Canoe Records proudly presents the addition of Iwan VanHetten to their Artist roster. Iwan’s latest album ‘Parabbean Tales’ was born from the concept of combining Caribbean-influenced music with contemporary jazz and funk to weave a narrative of his childhood and express the love for his native music. 

UK based trumpeter, keyboardist, musical director, composer / songwriter and producer Iwan VanHetten has worked with artists including Sister Sledge, Candy Dulfer, Paco Sery, The Pointer Sisters, Anthony Hamilton, Jools Holland, Jimmy Haslip, Will Kennedy, Russell Ferrante, Gary Husband and many more. He is one of a rare breed of musicians  who have stellar capabilities on two or more instruments. Highlights of Iwan’s career include fifteen years as musical director / keyboards with Sister Sledge and twenty years as musical director / keyboards / trumpet / songwriter / producer with the Brooklyn Funk Essentials.  With both groups Iwan has toured worldwide, performing at countless prestigious festivals and clubs. Together with Rob Harris and Paul Turner (Jamiroquai), Iwan completes the new trio ‘TRIONIQ’. Iwan is also an active solo artist, writing, recording and producing his own solo albums. Iwan’s production credits include Joni Sledge’s album ‘Tru’. 

Iwan has directed and composed music for numerous theatre shows and is currently the musical director and composer for a series of immersive art installations around Europe. He is a passionate educator and holds a teaching position at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. He divides his time between producing, teaching and live performances around the world.

Iwan holds artist endorsements with Nord Keyboards, Taylor Trumpets and Torpedo bags.

1. Parabbean Tales 3:26
2. Freedom 6:14
3. Cachete 3:33
4. Not Without You 5:48
5. 5th Avenue 5:12
6. Oasis 5:59
7. Brother Robert 4:53
8. Djoel & Knippa 5:31
9. LA Jam 3:37
10. Spally 1:39

Trumpet: Iwan VanHetten
Piano, Keys: Russell Ferrante
Bass: Melvin Lee Davis, Jimmy Haslip (tracks #5,#7)
Drums: Will Kennedy
Percussion: Lenny Castro
Steel Pans: Andy Narell (tracks #7, #8)
Sax: Bob Mintzer (track #6)

Recorded at Castle Oaks Recording Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles
Recording Engineer: Rich Breen
Mixing: Iwan VanHetten (at VanHetten Productions, UK)
Mastered: Peter Beckmann (Technology Works, London, UK)
Photography - Anael Miantsoukina (Paris, France)
Art Design - Aaron Paddock