Art Of Breath - Volume 2 John MacMurchy's

• 1 Calliope 06:16
• 2 Meu Coracao Canta 07:20
• 3 The Remains 06:44
• 4 Voice of America 06:36
• 5 WTF 06:57
• 6 February Brings the Rain 06:58
• 7 Slippery When Wet 05:21
• 8 Autumn Brown and Blue 05:52
• Total Runtime 52:04

Info for Art Of Breath - Volume 2

John MacMurchy leads ART OF BREATH on their album Volume 2, a musical journey that crosses borders and musical traditions; deep grooves, Brazilian rhythms, and straight-ahead jazz. This music is both highly accessible and highly sophisticated with a broad appeal.

The album starts off with 'Calliope', a declaration of love set in a lush soundscape, highlighted by a gorgeous nylon guitar solo. Next is 'Meu Coraçao Canta', which translates from Portuguese as 'My Heart Sings' and describes the joy in writing for, and working with musicians and beautiful people. 'The Remains' is about the damage we do when we play with other peoples’ affections in an effort to hide our own insecurity. 'Voice of America' is an anthemic and ominous musical criticism of American foreign policy. It features Bruce Cassidy doing things on the EVI that apparently you’re not supposed to be able to do. 'WTF' is a response to both the mass shootings and vulgar chaos sown by the Trump administration - organized chaos and wild energy. 'February Brings the Rain' features vocalist Jocelyn Barth with a one take, live off the floor, no overdubs performance of the famous Bobby Troup song. 'Slippery When Wet' explores the delight in sliding between time signatures. 'Autumn Brown and Blue' deals with being deeply in love with a friend as the days grow shorter and the light fades. This arrangement features Olivia Esther on horn. The song is extremely demanding of singers and this first and original interpretation is handled with grace and depth by Jessica Lalonde.

The album features writer/arranger John MacMurchy on Saxophone and Clarinet, Jocelyn Barth and Jessica Lalonde on Vocals, Bruce Cassidy on Trumpet and EVI, Olivia Esther on French Horn, Dan Ionescu on Guitar, Stacie McGregor on Piano, Alan Hetherington on Percussion, Ross MacIntyre on Bass, and Daniel Barnes on Drums. Collectively, these musicians have worked with The Boss Brass, Guido Basso, Blood Sweat and Tears, Linda Ronstadt, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Warren Vache, Jon Hendricks, Cleo Laine, Tony Bennet, Howard Alden and many more.

"Swings hard and heavy — full of driving bass, searing guitar, yawing trombone and sci-fi keyboards...retains a laser-cut precision, its many facets lending the tune a gemlike brilliance." - Brian Zimmerman, Jazziz Magazine

"21st Century samba and beyond." - George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly

John MacMurchy, saxophone, clarinet, flute
Jocelyn Barth, vocals
Jessica Lalonde, vocals
Bruce Cassidy, EVI, trumpet, flugelhorn
Olivia Esther, French horn
Dan Ionescu, guitar
Stacie McGregor, piano
Alan Hetherington, percussion
Ross MacIntyre, bass
Daniel Barnes, drums

John MacMurchy
is a performer, composer and recording artist based in Toronto. A woodwind player, John concentrates on clarinet, tenor saxophone and baritone saxophone and is fluent in jazz and classical repertoire. He has released four full length records to critical acclaim and international airplay. John has worked with international artists as varied as Warren Vache, Howard Alden, Guido Basso, Henry Mancini, Cleo Laine, Linda Ronstadt, Carol Channing, Peter Appleyard, John Dankworth as well as being in demand as a sideman on the Toronto scene.

"John MacMurchy is a fleet, accomplished reedman with a knack for writing and arranging. John's got everything together and balanced out when it comes to: Tone, Technique extraordinaire, and seemingly unending ideas."

John MacMurchy "It's an honest sound that John uses to converse with the listener. Nothing is hidden. It's all there on the table. Heart. Experience. Pleasure. Life." - Sheldon Zandboer

This album contains no booklet.