Carn Davidson 9 - The History of Us (Three Pines Records)

The Carn Davidson 9 (CD9) was formed in early 2010 as a collaborative project between JUNO Award-winning artists, trombonist William Carn and saxophonist Tara Davidson. CD9 is a 9-piece chordless ensemble that utilizes its seven horns as melodic, harmonic and rhythmic devices, anchored by bass and drums. This coled ensemble presents an opportunity for both artists to craft compositions for a unique chamber jazz instrumentation, and for a formidable collection of guest arrangers to shine new light on existing repertoire by Carn and Davidson.

The Carn Davidson 9’s unique sound is made stronger by an all-star lineup of prominent Canadian artists, all of whom are exceptional ensemble players in addition to being outstanding soloists. CD9 has produced two previous recordings: their debut album “Nine” was released in 2012, and was followed by “Murphy” in 2017. Both recordings garnered JUNO nominations for Jazz Album of the Year.

The History of Us is the Carn Davidson 9’s third studio recording, and is their most personal project to date. Comprised of two three-movement suites, The History of Us is a powerful, moving meditation on the universal themes of family, migration, and loss.

Finding Home Suite (W. Carn)

1. I. A New Life (solo: K. Turcotte) 8:14

2. II. A Mother’s Life (solo: W. Carn) 8:08

3. III. Home (solo: S. Beddage) 8:44

4. Goodbye Old Friend (W. Carn) 2:37

Suite 1985 (T. Davidson)

5. I. The Epitaph - For Mom (solo: K. Turcotte) 8:23

6. II. Swept Out To Sea - For Dad

(solo: A. Downing/K. Jefferson) 9:25

7. III. Wisely If Sincerely (solo: T. Davidson) 7:14

Tara Davidson - Alto & Soprano Sax, Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo

Kelly Jefferson - Tenor & Soprano Sax, Clarinet

Shirantha Beddage - Baritione Sax & Bass Clarinet

Jason Logue - Trumpet & Flugelhorn

Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet & Flugelhorn

William Carn - Trombone & Bass Trombone

Christian Overton -Bass Trombone

Andrew Downing - Acoustic Bass

Ernesto Cervini - Drums & Percussion

Recorded by Jeff Elliott at Revolution Studio, July, 20th & 21st, 2021

Edited and Mixed by Jeff Elliott

Mastered by Jeff Elliott at Fedge Mastering, September 2021

Artwork and Design by Lillian Chan

Produced by William Carn and Tara Davidson

Three Pines Records

PRE ORDER

Nick Fraser Quartet - If There Were No Opposites (Hat Hut Records)

1. Improvisation (Part 1) 02:43

2. Sketch #50 03:39

3. Shoe Dance 04:46

4. Table 49, The Rex Hotel, Toronto 09:28

5. The Bulldog And The Capricorn 09:02

6. The Fashion Show 07:38

7. Improvisation (Part 2) 05:08

Nick Fraser - drums

Tony Malaby - saxophones

Andrew Downing - cello

Rob Clutton - double bass

PREORDER

Lina Allemano Four - Vegetables (April 11, 2021)

1. Onions

2. Beans

3. Champignons

4. Brussel Sprouts, Maybe Cabbage

5. Oh Avocado

6. Leafy Greens

Lina Allemano, trumpet / compositions

Brodie West, alto saxophone

Andrew Downing, double bass

Nick Fraser, drums

All songs by Lina Allemano

Produced by Lina Allemano

Recorded at Union Sound Company in Toronto on Jan 3 & 4, 2020

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Fedge

Pre-order

Hary Vetro's NORTHERN RANGER

In 2017, as Canada celebrated 150 years of confederation, 23 year old Hamilton drummer Harry Vetro took to the road. He traveled coast to coast, visiting communities in Canada's six indigenous cultural areas (Arctic, Subarctic, Northwest Coast, Plateau, Plains, and Eastern Woodlands) in an effort to connect with musicians and artists from different cultural backgrounds, and to better understand the land's long cultural history.

Northern Ranger - Vetro's debut album - tells the story of his travels. A jazz musician by training, Harry melded his own style of improvised music with folk and classical influences to create a deeply personal statement, one that speaks to the country as a whole. 

A recent graduate of the University of Toronto Jazz program, Vetro leads an active performing career, Past performances include the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival and Orillia Jazz Festival. 

Proceeds from this album will assist in starting an outreach initiative for youth with limited access to music education. The program will be titled "Northern Ranger Outreach" and Vetro will be partnering with his father, who is an educator and musician with connections in the school system. 

Northern Ranger will be released on Friday, October 19th on T.Sound Records.

Harry Vetro - Drums

Lina Allemano - Trumpet

Harrison Argatoff - Saxophone

Dan Pitt - Guitar

Ian McGimpsey - Guitar

Noah Franche-Nolan - Piano

Jacob Thompson - Piano

Andrew Downing - Bass

Phil Albert - Bass

Jessica Deutsch - Violin

Aline Homzy - Violin

Anna Atkinson - Viola

Andrew Downing - Cello

Nick Fraser / Tony Malaby / Andrew Downing / Rob Clutton - Is Life Long? (CLEAN FEED RECORDS 2017)

What do Anthony Braxton, Wynton Marsalis, William Parker and Dave Liebman have in common? The fact that they have played with a drummer from the Toronto jazz scene, Nick Fraser, one of those few cases of a musician so flexible that he can practice all the tendencies of this music. Or, when he is the band leader and composer, chooses to cross those different styles, as that combination enables his capacities to swing and to color, to control time and to design textures. Generally, you either shine in one domain or the other, but not Fraser, preferring small gestures instead of technically exhibitionist actions  and always committing to the kind of improvisation that has a sense of natural, moment to moment form. He has found a soul mate in Tony Malaby and if their previous partnerships were already gems of contemporary jazz, the new “Is Life Long?” has all the ingredients to convince you to take this record to your hidden island. One of them is the way Andrew Downing’s cello combines either with Malaby’s saxes, amplifying the melodic effect, or with the double bass of Rob Clutton, for a richer harmony. The others are on the CD for you to find…

1 Quicksand 12:43

2 Disclosure 5:16

3 Empathy 6:15

4 Skeleton 7:35

5 Arachnid 6:25

6 The Predictor 11:07

Nick Fraser  drums

Tony Malaby  saxophones

Andrew Downing  cello

Rob Clutton  bass