Saxophonist,
jazz composer and multi-instrumentalist Brian Grace began his
musical career as a professional musician at a young age of 19.
He spent a large part of his following years in various Army
Bands before moving into the field of contemporary jazz.
Brian counts ten solo albums among his original body of work. The three latest are The Streets of San Francisco (2015), Stratosphere (2017) and his newest project Long Beach (2022). Brian considers his musical focus to be fusion jazz. He himself describes his stylistic home as progressive jazz.
Brian performs on his new album tenor & alto saxophones, piano, organs, guitars, strings, vibes, tubular bells, triangle, sound effects. As can be seen from the credits, Brian has been able to attract some big names in contemporary jazz to his EP. On all tracks you can hear the well-known bass player Jimmy Haslip, who has already proved to be a valuable support for many fusion jazz players.
The album opens with The Gathering Storm. You can consider this song, which Brian recorded in 2018, more or less as a continuation of his previous album Stratosphere, because it features all the musicians who were on the earlier album. The first impression of the song is very percussive, as Jimmy Branley pulses the introduction on his congas before the other musicians get into action. Mike Miller (Boz Scaggs, Gino Vanelli) sets strong accents on his guitar that almost go into the realm of synthesizer. Overall, a very dynamic piece that doesn't shy away from comparison with other contemporary fusion jazz pieces.
Autumn In Long Beach is like the whole album a tribute to Brian's longtime residence. The reggae-styled tune was recorded in 2020, when the Corona pandemic demanded a lockdown from the musicians. Anne Hauter on trumpet and Brain on sax are able to create a brilliant harmonic unison, although it is not possible to recognize whether the reggae rhythm is beneficial or detrimental to the course of the music.
The next song Exploración, note the Spanish spelling, begins with Anne Hauter's unearthly trumpet introduction with a hint of Ennio Morricone before the rest of the troupe kicks in almost explosively. At first, one gets the impression Brian is leaning toward Luis Miguels' Bésame mucho, but then the melody drifts into Brian's original composition. Brian seems to have incorporated into this piece all the Spanish musical influences and reflections that have shaped him in recent years, which he now transfers into the jazz fusion field. Mike Miller brings his guitar to ecstatic heights that Carlos Santana could be envious of. Otmaro Ruiz on organ and Chad Wackerman on drums flashes in ultra-short solos.
The title of Learning to Live Again has its origin in 2021, a time that gave everyone in the pandemic, respite and renewed hope. Unlike the previous tracks, this song with its distinct captivating melody and harmony can easily be assigned to the smooth jazz genre. Jimmy enriches the song with a warm-sounding fretless bass solo.
The final The Gathering Storm: Reprise reunites Brian on piano and Jimmy on bass to a feast for the ears. You can experience the promised wow-factor that sticks indelibly in the memory.
Brian Grace's Long Beach leaves a lasting impression. Brian has managed to create something breathtakingly new with a team of great musicians that makes a worthy contribution to the jazz fusion genre.
Biography
Album Information
Title: Long Beach
Website
Buy the album
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Artist: Brian Grace
Year: 2022
Genre: Contemporary Jazz
Label: Brian Grace Music
Tracks:
1) The Gathering Storm (4:56)
2) Autumn In Long Beach (5:29)
3) Exploración (8:44)
4) Learning To Live Again (5:26)
5)
The Gathering Storm Reprise (1:22)
Credits:
1.The Gathering Storm (ASCAP) 4:55
Brian Grace – Tenor & alto saxophones, piano, vibes, tubular
bells, triangle, sound effects
Jimmy Branly – Congas
Anne
Hauter – Trumpet
Mike Miller – Guitars
Jimmy Haslip – Bass
Chad Wackerman – Drums
2. Autumn in Long Beach (ASCAP)
5:28
Brian Grace – Tenor saxophone, organs, piano, MIDI
woodwind
Anne Hauter – Trumpet
Mike Miller – Guitars
Jimmy Haslip – Bass guitar
Chad Wackerman – Drums
3.
Exploración (ASCAP) 8:43
Brian Grace – Tenor saxophone,
piano, organ 2, vibes, 2nd acoustic and lead guitars, congas
Anne Hauter – Trumpet
Mike Miller – Lead, acoustic & rhythm
guitars
Jimmy Haslip – Bass guitar
Otmaro Ruíz – Organ
Chad Wackerman – Drums
4. Learning to Live Again (ASCAP)
5:25
Brian Grace – Tenor & alto saxophones, piano, synth,
MIDI horns, guitar, vibes, & strings
Jimmy Haslip – Bass
Chad Wackerman – Drums
5. The Gathering Storm: Reprise
(ASCAP) 1:23
Brian Grace – Piano
Jimmy Branly – Congas
Jimmy Haslip – Basses
All songs composed & arranged by
Brian Grace Brian Grace Music - copyright 2022
Engineered by
Paul Tavenner & Harrison Long
Produced by Brian Grace & Jimmy
Haslip