Tidal Currents: East Meets West
Chronograph, 2024
8/10
Listen to Tidal Currents: East Meets West
The first community based, non-profit, professional jazz ensemble in Canada, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra return with a 7th release, where commissions from Jill Townsend and Christine Jensen- two of the country’s finest in the area of Big Band jazz- spans out across 4 tracks.
“Inside The Wave” starts the listen with strong attention to mood, where Matthew Walden’s bright trumpet and Fabio Ragnelli’s meticulous drum highlight the soaring sounds that surround the west coast and oceans of Sooke, B.C., and “Crossing Lachine” follows with Niall Cade’s radiant tenor sax complementing the dynamic interaction of the Jensen piece that’s inspired by her love of paddle boarding.
The back half of the listen brings us Will Boness’ piano, Karl Kohut’s bass, Ragnelli’s drums and muted brass for the most intimate selection that makes great use of Jensen’s glowing soprano sax, while “Rock Skipping Under Half Moon” recruits plenty of mystery and beauty that touches on Jensens’s younger years skipping rocks, where the waltz builds into a textured and dizzying finish.
A very intricate listen that’s rooted in nature, the WJO bring a wealth of brass to this unpredictable and memorable listen that’s as creative as it is timeless.
Travels well with: Casey MacGill- Love Letter; John Herberman- Spring Comes Early