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

Levi Dover Sextet - Imaginary Structures (Friday, October 8th 2021 on Three Pines Records)

It is only through the lens of the imagination that we construct the world around us and give it meaning. The real is without intention or significance, appearing as a collage of seemingly unrelated elements. But as we weave together our perceptions, we create an an inner world populated by emotions, stories, dreams, remembered pasts and projected futures. These are the Imaginary Structures in which we live.

Imaginary Structures is the debut album from Montreal based composer and double bassist Levi Dover. This singular recording consists of eight original compositions for sextet, brought to life by an ensemble of musicians with an individualistic and contemporary approach. The album as a whole establishes a stylized vision of improvised music, fusing jazz with elements of progressive rock and 20th century classical music, brought together in a post-bop setting.

The music is set against the backdrop of an impressionistic landscape which at times recalls the influence of composers such as Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis, Bobby Hutcherson, and Andrew Hill. The improvisations are tightly woven into the structure of the pieces, giving the musicians the freedom to explore the universe that the compositions reveal. Throughout the album, a dreamy atmosphere and contemplative mood is balanced against a tight rhythmic undercurrent that propels the music forward, creating a narrative that unfolds gradually over the course of these eight pieces, exposing different facets of the composer’s imagination.

1. First Impression 4:14

2. In Hindsight 6:02

3. L’Appel du Vide 4:26

4. MK 6:51

5. Galapagos 7:24

6. How the Light Gets In 5:27

7. The Fox and The Cat 5:46

8. Imaginary Structures 6:14

Lex French - Trumpet

Erik Hove - Alto Saxophone

Olivier Salazar - Vibraphone

Andrew Boudreau - Piano

Levi Dover - Double Bass, Compositions

Kyle Hutchins - Drums

Imaginary Structures will be released worldwide on Friday, October 8th 2021 on Three Pines Records.

Three Pines Records

Miguel de Armas Quartet - Continuous (May 2021 on Three Pines Records)

Internationally renowned Cuban pianist Miguel de Armas moved to Canada in 2011, bringing with him a rich and sophisticated musical heritage gleaned over many years of study, performance and composition. As a co-founder of N.G. La Banda — one of Cuba’s most legendary timba bands — de Armas packed concert halls around the world.

Under the leadership of de Armas - and featuring Marc Decho on bass, Michel Medrano on drums and Diomer González on congas - The Miguel de Armas Quartet was created in 2013. Since then, they have rocked the National Capital Region with their astounding musicianship and thrilling fusion of Jazz and Afro Cuban music.

With Continuous, de Armas reveals his heart and soul. It is an eclectic, inventive, and truly global album that demonstrates de Armas’ versatility not only as a player, but as a composer as well. These boundary defying songs defy categorization, with the rich melodic and rhythmic feel of songo, the fusion of Afro Cuban music with pop, Latin jazz, calypso, and classical influences.

Continuous represents the continuation of de Armas’ musical journey that began almost a decade ago when he moved to Canada. This album is a compelling collection of songs about love, immigration, long winters, and how to stay happy throughout. De Armas is a story-teller, and his medium is his music.

Continuous will be released on May 21st, 2021 on Three Pines Records

1. Continuous 6:10

2. Couscous 5:14

3. Angelique 4:29

4. Welcome Back from Varadero 6:31

5. Muñuñi 4:54

6. Eva Luna 3:01

7. Song for Bebo 5:32

8. It Meant Something Else 5:03

9. Gone Too Soon 5:35

All songs by Miguel de Armas, except 7 by Marc Decho

Miguel de Armas - Piano, Keyboards, Compositions

Marc Decho - Bass

Michel Medrano Brindis - Drums

Diomer González - Congas

Featuring:

Yasmina Proveyer - Voice (1); Roberto Riverón - Bass (1, 3);

Elmer Ferrer - Guitar (3); Petr Cancura - Tenor Saxophone (5);

Elizabeth Rodriguez - Violin (6); Gabriela Ruiz - Cello (6);

René Lavoie - Flute (7); Tyler Harris - Alto Sax (8);

José Alberto Alvarez Batista - Güiro (1);

Yaima Caballero - Güiro (7)

With Special Guests:

Samuel Formell (Los Van Van) - Drums, Timbales (1);

Joel Cuesta (Los Van Van) - Congas (1); Eliel Lazo - Congas (4)

Miguel de Armas Website

Pre-order

Three Pines Records launching in March!

NEW LABEL, THREE PINES RECORDS

LAUNCHING IN MARCH, 2021

FIRST RELEASES FROM ALL-STAR COLLABORATION TUNETOWN

& VOCALIST SARAH JERROM’S DREAM LOGIC

In March of 2021, Three Pines Records (TPR) is proud to introduce their new label with the releases from TuneTown (the all-star combination of Kelly Jefferson, Artie Roth and Ernesto Cervini) and vocalist Sarah Jerrom’s Dream Logic (Harley Card, Rob McBride, Jeff Luciani).

The JUNO Award-winning, Grammy-nominated team of drummer Ernesto Cervini, vocalist Amy Cervini and composer/producer Oded Lev-Ari are combining to create a new media company dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Canadian music, with a specific focus on Jazz and improvised music. TPR is committed to creating a safe and supportive space where musicians can focus on creating and sharing their work with a growing fan base they help create. Between them, Cervini, Lev-Ari and…Cervini have extensive experience in the business of music not only as musicians but as entrepreneurs, label-owner, manager, publicist…the list is long. They are combining these unique skill sets to help artists find their fan base and create a sustainable career and mostly to share great music with fans across Canada and the world. TPR will be working with artists across Canada and across the spectrum of jazz…the focus will not be on a specific style of music, but rather on good music! 

First up is the March 19th release of Entering Utopia from celebrated jazz trio collective, TuneTown.  This is a follow up to their debut album, There From Here which came out in the fall of 2019 to rave reviews across the globe:  “Seamlessly assimilating elements from the avant-garde, funk and jazz worlds, There From Here is a stimulating addition to the saxophone trio canon” - Jazz Journal

On March 26th, Three Pines Records will be releasing Sarah Jerrom’s Dream Logic, an artsy folk-jazz album from the other end of the spectrum.  The ensemble consists of four highly-skilled Canadian musicians who each actively explore and play in a variety of musical projects and genres: Harley Card on guitar and vocals, Rob McBride on acoustic bass, Jeff Luciani on drums, with Jerrom on vocals and piano.

TuneTown - Entering Utopia (March 19, 2021 Three Pines Records)

Sarah Jerrom and Dream Logic (March 26, 2021 Three Pines Records)

For more information please visit: www.threepinesrecords.ca

Sarah Jerrom and Dream Logic (March 26, 2021 Three Pines Records)

Dream Logic is a contemporary jazz quartet led by vocalist and composer Sarah Jerrom, performing a diverse collection of original music written and arranged for the group by Jerrom and other and members. Drawing from the jazz tradition, Dream Logic’s music merges creative improvisation and pop-sensibilities to introduce and develop an exciting cross-genre element. The ensemble consists of four highly-skilled Canadian musicians who each actively explore and play in a variety of musical projects and genres: Harley Card on guitar and vocals, Rob McBride on acoustic bass, Jeff Luciani on drums, with Jerrom on vocals and piano. Dream Logic has been performing in and around Toronto since 2017, with a steadily growing fan base. Notable performances include the 2018 Niagara Jazz Festival and the 2019 “In The Soil” Arts Festival. 

Dream Logic’s new album will be released on Mar. 26th, 2021.

More about the artists:

Sarah Jerrom is a Canadian vocalist and composer specializing in jazz and creative music, taking her inspiration from lyric-driven melodies, genre-defying instrumentation and experimental soundscapes. Sarah’s upcoming third album, a collection of original songs recorded by her contemporary jazz quartet, “Dream Logic,” will be released Mar 26th 2021 on Three Pines Records. “Dream Logic” follows up on her critically-acclaimed releases, “The Yeats Project” (2017), featuring W.B. Yeats’s poetry set to music and orchestrated for a nine-piece chamber jazz ensemble, achieving critical praise and international airplay, and “Illuminations” (2007), encompassing original compositions, jazz-inspired arrangements of contemporary songs and traditional jazz standards. A graduate of the University of Toronto jazz program (2005), Sarah has studied composition under renowned Canadian composers Christine Jensen, Christopher Smith, Andrew Downing and Rick Wilkins (O.C.).

“… Jerrom sounds best when she is free of traditional confines.” – Robert Rusch, Cadence Magazine

Harley Card is a Toronto based guitarist and composer. In addition to leading his own groups, Harley is a member of  and co-composer for the innovative Canadian bands; Hobson’s Choice, God’s Gift To Yoda, and Stoptime. As a contributor to the creative music scene in Toronto since 2003, Harley has played with many artists including; Richard Underhill, Alex Dean, Alex Samaras, David Virelles, William Carn, Michael Herring, Bernie Senensky, Michael Davidson, Don Scott, Matt Newton, Daniel Jamieson, Felicity Williams, Dave Clark, Carlie Howell, Jon Challoner, Sarah Jerrom, Colin Power, RJ Sachnanathan, Rebecca Hennessy, Dan Fortin,  Ben Dietschi, Dan Gaucher, Caitlin Smith, and Ernesto Cervini, among others. - www.harleycard.ca

Rob McBride is a highly in-demand bassist and bandleader who has been performing in the Toronto jazz scene for the last 25 years, playing at many of the city’s top jazz venues. While specializing in jazz, Rob is also influenced by solo classical and improvised bass music and has incorporated creative aspects of these elements into his sound through his five-string acoustic bass. Headliner performances includes the TD Niagara Jazz Festival (2014) and the Brampton World of Jazz Festival (2017). Rob has played with some of Canada’s finest musicians, including Pat LaBarbara, Don Thompson, Ted Warren, Sarah Jerrom, and Adrean Farrugia. He has played with the pit orchestra for the Shaw Festival and the Niagara Symphony Orchestra. Rob has played on many critically-acclaimed albums including recordings by Sarah Jerrom, Beverly Taft, Jeff King, and Barbara Mantini.

Jeff Luciani is a Canadian drummer and percussionist from St. Catharines, Ontario. After graduating from Mohawk College’s Applied Music Program in 2003, he began to work on establishing himself within the jazz, improvised music, singer-songwriter and Brazilian communities throughout the Niagara Region and city of Toronto. He then went on to perform throughout the world with celebrated Canadian artists: Sean Jones, The Dears, Derek Miller and Madison Violet. Jeff is currently an active member and collaborator with the groups/bands/artists; Batucada Carioca, SoundSound, Bankruptcy, Sarah Jerrom & Dream Logic, Colin Fisher, and The Dears. In addition, Jeff also works as an independent foley artist. He lives in Toronto, Canada. - www.jeffluciani.com

TuneTown - Entering Utopia (March 19, 2021 Three Pines Records)

TuneTown is an exciting collective featuring creative Toronto mainstays, Kelly Jefferson on Tenor Saxophone, Artie Roth on Bass and Ernesto Cervini on Drums. All three members are highly-respected Juno-nominated musicians with serious band leading chops, and the combination of the three leads to some breathtaking and powerful musical moments.   

The band plays imaginative re-arrangements of standards, and originals from all three members. They released their debut album, There From Here in September 2019 to rave reviews across the globe with Peter Hum from the Ottawa Citizen remarking, “TuneTown's debut disc makes a strong first impression with its rugged swinging, lucid improvising, sonic exploration and forthright teamwork.” 

TuneTown’s follow up album, Entering Utopia, will be released on March 19, 2021.

1. Hello, Today (Cervini) 5:07

2. Entering Utopia (Roth) 4:51

3. Layla Tov (Cervini) 5:16

4. Billyish (Cervini) 3:48

5. Flood, Deluge (Cervini, Jefferson, Roth) 3:34

6. Look Down (Cervini, Jefferson, Roth) 1:01

7. Sycamore (Roth) 6:36

8. Cheryl  (Charlie Parker, arr. Cervini, Jefferson, Roth) 5:45

9. Sgraffito (Cervini, Jefferson, Roth) 0:49

10. Memories Remain (Roth) 6:09

11. Looking Glass (Cervini, Jefferson, Roth) 0:30

12. Blue Gardenia (Bob Russel, Lester Lee, arr. Cervini, Jefferson, Roth) 3:18

TuneTown Website