James McGowan Ensemble — REACHING OUT: May 24, 2024  EPK

Independent Release

A jazz/classical/latin/story-telling fusion experience

Reaching In (2023) is “a curious and compelling concept album,” writes journalist David Reed. Continuing this musical adventure is Reaching Out, a jazz-classical-theatrical fusion experience combining music, spoken-word and visual art. From the creative mind of Ottawa composer and pianist James McGowan, this album features an ensemble consisting of strings, horns and rhythm section. Reaching Out uses musical story-telling with both words and meaning-infused musical motifs to tell a semi-autobiographical journey of overcoming loss and other personal challenges to offer an uncertain, yet hopeful future. Sometimes introspective and heart-felt, sometimes exuberant and vibrant, the album keeps your heart, mind and soul engaged to the end. The James McGowan Ensemble fuses jazz, classical and latin styles in a unique fusion that also features spoken-word program notes. Come see the official concert launch of the album: May 28 at the National Arts Centre, Fourth Stage in Ottawa Canada. 

Album Release Concert Tickets available here!

Reaching Out (2024)

Check Out the tracks here!

James McGowan: piano/keyboards, composer, producer; Alex Moxon: guitar; Jean-Philippe Lapensée: bass; Jamie Holmes: drums & percussion; Cendrine Despax & Jean Despax: violin; Olivier Philippe-Auguste & Maxime Despax: viola; Valérie Despax & Cal McGowan: cello; Ed Lister: trumpet; Mark Ferguson: trombone; Petr Cancura: tenor saxophone; Mike Tremblay: tenor & soprano saxophones; Jamaal Amir Akbari: spoken word artist; An Nguyen: cover artist; Steve Foley: recording & pre-mixing; Rob Cosh: mixing & mastering; Recorded at Audio Valley Studio, Ottawa

Jazz focus tracks: Reaching Out, Chaotic Good, Corean Poultry

Classical focus tracks: Journey Together, Reflection, Pause 

Ballad focus tracks: Elegy, Blue Lament, Alone in a Crowd

Spoken word tracks: Imagine Parts 4, 5 and 6

More about Reaching In/Reaching Out
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  1. 1
    Personal Credo 1:36
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  2. 2
    Imagine (Part 4) 3:31
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  3. 3
    Reaching Out 6:32
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  4. 4
    Minding My Time 3:47
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  5. 5
    Alone in a Crowd 5:16
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  6. 6
    Imagine (Part 5) 4:00
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  7. 7
    Corean Poultry (Tribute to Chick Corea) 7:27
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  8. 8
    Blue Lament 6:49
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  9. 9
    Pause 3:13
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  10. 10
    Elegy 4:58
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  11. 11
    Imagine (Part 6) 3:11
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  12. 12
    Time to Rise (ft. Alex Moxon) 4:36
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  13. 13
    Chaotic Good 5:03
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  14. 14
    Journey Together 2:14
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  15. 15
    My Story 5:54
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  16. 16
    Reflection 10:51
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  17. 17
    Song Without Words 4:14
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Video

Press / Reviews

“The arrangements are beautiful, and the combinations of instruments are well-chosen. With the juxtaposition and contrasting genres coming together in many places, there is a continuity – much like life. Reaching In is an interesting, rich, album that demonstrates James McGowan’s skill at looking beyond genre definitions and using elements of more than one to convey his thoughts and desires.” - Sammy Stein

— Something Else!

“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. Indispenable! ” - Thierry De Clemensat

— Paris Move

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