© Copyright 2019–23 James McGowan - All Rights Reserved

Reaching In/
Reaching Out

James McGowan Ensemble


Reaching In / Reaching Out is an extended story told through music, spoken-word poetry, and visual art of a protagonist's journey from struggles of isolation, low self-worth, social anxiety, addiction, and loss, to finding peace, acceptance, belonging, and a sense of community. This multi-movement suite is composed and performed in a classical-jazz fusion style. Using powerful musical expression and recurring motivic gestures the work conveys deep emotions and extra-musical meaning. Supplemented by poetry, the instrumental music itself and the painting of Reaching In guides us through a narrative of overcoming personal challenges to offer an uncertain, yet hopeful future. 

See below for a list of tunes, solos, contributing artists, and meaning behind the music. 

Part 1: Reaching In - Release date: June 23, 2023
Part 2: Reaching Out - Release date: TBA, 2024

Reviews:
"The work is at times theatrical in its parts, sometimes classical, sometimes jazz-inspired, but undoubtedly a grand and beautiful artistic creation, somewhat radical, which will only appeal to those of you capable of being moved by a work of art to the point of feeling the need to discuss it among friends. Few works of this style are created nowadays, which is all the more reason to take an interest in it. To be honest, it takes several listens to fully grasp the richness of this work, as it can be bewildering at times. But after all, true art is meant to make us look, read, or listen deeply, and Reaching In encompasses all of that."
Thierry De Clemensat – Paris-Move, June 15, 2023.   

"This is an excellent example of a composer thinking beyond one particular musical style and focusing on what needs to happen to convey the story that starts from within. The writing is first-class, as is the playing, and the storytelling so vivid and emotionally connected. It is not often I hear such an affecting work of art that is equally theatrical, classical, and jazz inspired."
Simon Defty - SimplyJazzTalk, June 20, 2023.   

Reaching In

Painting by An Nguyen, 2023 (photo by Ian Holmes)

Picture of Reaching In Painting by An Nguyen
  1. Imagine, Part 1 - Jamaal Amir Akbari, spoken word; with Octet: Despax string quartet and Modasaurus jazz quartet. The first six tunes explore the depth of internal turmoil (of isolation, grief, anxiety) and the hopeful commitment to do the self-work of reaching in
  2. Thoughts and Prayers - Octet: Despax string quartet and Modasaurus jazz quartet. Solo by Valérie Despax (cello). 
  3. Internal Conflict - Octet: Despax string quartet and Modasaurus jazz quartet.
  4. Grief and Despair - Despax string quartet. Joined by Modasaurus jazz quartet (free improvisation from 4:35 to the end).  
  5. Uncertain Future - Modasaurus jazz quartet. Solos by Alex Moxon (guitar), JP Lapensée (bass), James McGowan (piano).
  6. Reaching In - Octet: Despax string quartet and Modasaurus jazz quartet. Solos: James McGowan (piano), JP Lapensée (bass)
  7. Imagine, Part 2 - Jamaal Amir Akbari, spoken word; with Cal McGowan (cello), Despax string quartet, Modasaurus jazz quartet, and the four horns. Solo: Alex Moxon (guitar).   These next five tunes explore one's efforts to rise out of turmoil, while dealing with mental health issues and escapism, eventually coming to terms with the simple reality that you are worth it. 
  8. Time to Rise - Despax string quartet, Modasaurus jazz quartet, and the four horns. Solo by Petr Cancura (tenor sax).
  9. Tripping Triceratops - Despax string quartet, Modasaurus jazz quartet, and the four horns. Solos by Alex Moxon (guitar), Mike Tremblay (tenor sax), Jamie Holmes (drums).
  10. Augmented Reality - Despax string quartet, Modasaurus jazz quartet, and the four horns. Solo by Mark Ferguson (trombone).
  11. Simple Reality - Despax string quartet, James McGowan and JP Lapensee.
  12. Imagine, Part 3 - Jamaal Amir Akbari, spoken word; with Octet: Despax string quartet and Modasaurus jazz quartet. These next five tunes build on these efforts to reach in to seek peace. A bittersweet realization is that inner peace may not be possible, but the efforts to understand oneself and one's inner child leads to self-acceptance. Efforts to connect with others through music will be continued in the next album: Reaching Out.
  13. Inner Peace - Despax string quartet, Modasaurus jazz quartet, and the four horns. Solos by James McGowan (piano), Olivier Philippe-Auguste (viola), Cendrine Despax (violin). 
  14. Inner Child - James McGowan (solo piano).
  15. Through My Tears I Cry - Octet: Despax string quartet and Modasaurus jazz quartet. Solo by Jean Despax (violin).  
  16. Acceptance - Cal McGowan (cello), Modasaurus jazz quartet. 

Reaching In Credits
James McGowan: piano/keyboards, producer, all compositions and poetry (SOCAN)
Alex Moxon, guitar; Jean-Philippe (JP) Lapensée, bass; Jamie Holmes, drums & percussion. The first four artists make up Modasaurus.  
Cendrine Despax & Jean Despax, violin; Maxime Despax & Olivier Philippe-Auguste, viola; Valérie Despax & Cal McGowan, cello;  
Ed Lister, trumpet; Mark Ferguson, trombone; Petr Cancura & Mike Tremblay, saxophones
Jamaal Amir Akbari [a.k.a. JustJamaal ThePoet], spoken word performer
Steve Foley: audio recording and mixing; Rob Cosh: mixing and mastering 
An Nguyen: painting and CD cover artist

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts

Canada Council for the Arts logo

© James McGowan 2023
All Rights Reserved