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13-piece jazz/classical group, the James McGowan Ensemble release new album ‘Reaching Out’

By Kath Galasso on September 25, 2024

Following up their successful fusion album Reaching In in 2023, the 13-piece jazz/classical spectacular that is the James McGowan Ensemble has just released the compliment album, aptly titled Reaching Out. Ostensibly comprised 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, this ensemble is known for its big sound and nuanced composition.

In addition to being a highly personal album which continues the sentiment and big emotions of Reaching In, Reaching Out once again features spoken word poems performed by former Ottawa-based English Poet Laureate Jamaal Amir Akbari, adding an extra layer of emotion and authenticity to the work.

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.

The title track is a microcosm of that journey and of the album’s concept, as the ensemble takes each listener through the phases and emotions of grief and healing. The “Imagine” series of songs with Amir Akbari’s spoken word compositions are continued in Reaching Out and are particular highlights on the 17-track mega-album, along with the overture track, where McGowan declares his “Personal Credo,” the sax-soloed “Elegy” and the contemplative tribute to fusion legend Chick Corea, “Corean Poultry”. Varied and melodic, Reaching Out is more raw than its earlier relative, but nonetheless soulful and emotive.

Stream “Reaching Out” on Spotify.

Listen or purchase via Bandcamp.

Musician Names/Instruments:
James McGowan, piano, compositions, poetry,
Alex Moxon, electric guitar
JP (Jean-Philippe) Lapensée, electric (six-string) bass
Jamie Holmes, drums
Cendrine Despax, violin
Jean Despax, violin
Maxime Despax, viola
Olivier Philippe-Auguste, viola
Valérie Despax, cello
Cal McGowan, cello
Mike Tremblay, tenor and soprano saxophones
Petr Cancura, tenor saxophone
Ed Lister, trumpet
Mark Ferguson, trombone
Jamaal Amir Akbari, spoken word
Producer Name(s):
James McGowan, producer
Steve Foley, recording and pre-mixing
Rob Cosh, mixing and mastering

Tracklist:

1. Personal Credo 66 bpm	1m 36s
2. Imagine (Part 4) 114 bpm	3m 32s
3. Reaching Out 146 bpm	6m 33s
4. Minding My Time 140 bpm	3m 47s
5. Alone in a Crowd 48 bpm	5m 17s
6. Imagine (Part 5) 84 bpm	4m 1s
7. Corean Poultry 110 bpm	7m 28s
9. Blue Lament 68 bpm	6m 50s
8. Pause 50 bpm	3m 14s
10. Elegy 52 bpm	4m 59s
11. Imagine (Part 6) 84 bpm	3m 12s
12. Time to Rise (ft. Alex Moxon) 77 bpm	4m 37s
13. Chaotic Good 119 bpm	5m 3s
14. Journey Together 50 bpm	2m 14s
15. My Story 132 bpm	5m 55s
16. Reflection 56 bpm	10m 52s
17. Song Without Words 82 bpm	4m 15s

Websites:
https://jamesmcgowan.ca/
https://jamesmcgowan.ca/epk-for-media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModasaurusOttawa/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesjmcgowan/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5li0pGyPMA5WuAPA5ZjIIV
Bandcamp: https://jamesjmcgowan.bandcamp.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9dC-R32Ku6BbLgLhZNLh0g
https://www.youtube.com/@jamesjmcgowan

Artist Biography:

The James McGowan Ensemble is a 13-piece ensemble (+spoken word poet) based in Canada’s National Capital Region. At its heart is the interaction of the Modasaurus jazz-fusion quartet—McGowan on piano, Alex Moxon on guitar, JP Lapensée on bass, and Jamie Holmes on drums—with Quatuor Despax, a versatile string quartet based in Gatineau Quebec. The ensemble is enhanced by four horns on several tracks, featuring Petr Cancura (Ottawa Jazz Festival Artistic Director) and Mike Tremblay on tenor and soprano saxes, Mark Ferguson on trombone, and Ed Lister (JUNO-award winning) on trumpet. Finally, the spoken word poems are performed by former Ottawa English Poet Laureate Jamaal Amir Akbari.

James McGowan is a pianist, composer, producer, and educator at home in classical, jazz, and improvised styles. He is an award-winning faculty member in Carleton University’s Music program, and performs regularly in Ottawa and beyond. In September 2020, his jazz-fusion quartet Modasaurus released its critically acclaimed sophomore album, 4K, after its debut album Two Intents released in 2017. In 2022, he was awarded a “Concept to Realization” grant from the Canada Council for the Arts to create Reaching In and Reaching Out, his fifth and sixth albums as leader/co-leader.

The Despax Quartet consists of violinists Cendrine Despax and Jean Despax, violist Maxime Despax and cellist Valérie Despax. Formed in 2003 by four brothers and sisters, Quatuor Despax performs regularly in the Ottawa-Gatineau. They have also performed in festivals and concert series across Canada and internationally, including France, Italy and Columbia. Some tracks also feature violist Olivier Philippe-Auguste and cellist Cal McGowan.

Press Quotes:

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 MoveThis 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 – Simply Jazz Talk…a curious and compelling concept album… The confluence of jazz and classical music inspires some lush textural arrangements.

David Reed – Kingston Whig StandardThe collection of sixteen tracks combines bold tonal connections, juicy instrumental expression, recurring themes and several key musical motifs. Thus, the concept album holds together, it does not fall apart. And there’s always something to listen to. The listener is constantly surprised, he is captured by images, his imagination blossoms; the music is like a soundtrack to an imaginary movie. Of course, sensitive and expressive recitations also evoke imagination and personal reflection.
Jan Hocek, Jazz Port (translated from Czech)

Mix of impressionist cello and piano give solace on “Inner Peace” with Moxon give some rockish guitar on the melodic “Augmented Reality”. None of the juxtapositions feel forced, and the music feels comfortable guiding you through the pilgrim’s progress.

George W. Harris – Jazz WeeklyReaching In is thoughtful, inspirational, and highly recommended as a motivational listening experience.

Midwest Book ReviewAccolades:
Interviews for radio/podcasts—with Punta Glass in Mexico City, and Paradigms (syndicated show)—and shout-outs on other media.New one from May 30, 2024, on Punto de Jazz con Glass https://www.mixcloud.com/GlassArc/james-mcgowan-ensemble/ Also with Leah Roseman on podcast: Conversations with Musicians. https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/james-mcgowa