For whatever reason, bigger-size jazz ensembles, mid-size, if you will, are becoming some sort of a rarity in music these days, with smaller bands, or ensembles dominating, or big bands on the other side still showing signs of life.
What is missing might be the fact that such mid-size outfits offer musical flexibility to cover a wider musical range that goes beyond straight-ahead jazz and includes other genre elements, from rock and fusion and classical music on the other side of the scale.
One such ensemble still flexing its muscles is Canadian musical conglomerate James McGowan Ensemble, actually composed of three prolific quartets including Ottowa-based Modasaurus, of which McGowan is also a part, Quatuor Despax from Quebec and Four of horns featuring Ottawa Jazz Festival Artistic Director Petr Cancura, Mike Tremblay on tenor and soprano saxes, Mark Ferguson on trombone, and the JUNO-award winning Ed Lister on trumpet.
After Reaching In, its fusion-oriented set from 2023, this Ensemble just came out with a sort of a complimentary album titled ‘Reaching Out.’ This time around, the Ensemble tackles other musical forms from smooth jazz to outright modern classical music (with other jazz forms interwoven), and also features spoken word poems performed by former Ottawa-based English Poet Laureate Jamaal Amir Akbari.
It is all tied in a concept, which McGowan explains, “’Reaching Out’ tells my story through words and music of moving past grief to find strength in community. I truly think that everyone will be able to relate to it and find personal resonance in this journey.”
This concept actually includes a special tribute to the late great pianist Chick Corea.
On paper, it might seem like a bit of a lofty concept, but McGowan’s concept is set in a practically impeccable musical setting, which wouldn’t have worked if McGowan’s compositions were not up to a high-quality standard.
It all works as envisioned and the album is such that even those listeners that are not keen jazz fans will find enjoyment in it.
