I have never been to the Arcadia National Park, which, according to the preface, triggered the vocalist’s feelings and brought a spark that fired this music. So, to understand better and connect deeper I looked at the pictures before I even looked at the titles or listened to the music. The beauty of the place instantly awakened my memories of all the beauty of nature I was lucky to encounter. And then, I was ready to listen.
17
Feb
[ February 23th, 2024 release on JZ Music: Annie Chen – Guardians ]
Beijing-born, New York-based vocalist/composer Annie Chen offers an impassioned plea for environmental stewardship on her stunning new album Guardians, out February 23, 2024 via JZ Music. The powerful music set was inspired by a wintertime visit to Acadia National Park in Maine.
An explosive combination of nationalities and cultural backgrounds, the band on this album features Chen with drummer and percussionist Satoshi Takeishi (Japan), Fung Chern Hwei (Malaysia) on violin and viola; guitarist Marius Duboule (Switzerland/France); pianist and accordionist Vitor Gonçalves (Brazil); and Americans Alex LoRe on alto sax, flute and bass clarinet and bassist Mathew Muntz, who also plays the meh, a rare Croatian bagpipe.
“[Chen’s] understanding of music from the Eastern Hemisphere and the ways it’s fused to jazz melody is her unique skill as a singer, composer and leader… This clear-eyed fusion of East and West with an avant-garde twist is Chen’s contribution to contemporary currents of international jazz.” – Dave Wayne, DownBeat (about the last album Secret Treetop.)
“Annie Chen’s music is as individualistic as it is ambitious – and it is very ambitious.” – delarue, Lucid Culture