Australian-born pianist, composer and keyboardist Sean Wayland has
released the 23rd studio album of his prolific career, a magnificent and
stylized take on jazz and funk with roots in Australian rock. In fact, this
album, 'Barrenjoey', takes its name from Wayland’s homeland in Australia (not,
as those familiar with the New York jazz scene might think, from famous local
drummer Joey Baron). This album tells a different story, and one that’s highly
personal to Wayland.
“I was
inspired by surfing in Australia, New South Wales Coast, and Australian rock
circa 1980,” says Wayland. “The title track is about a tombolo, or tied island,
attached to palm Beach, the most northerly point of the Sydney region.” It’s
not difficult to hear these inspirations shine through, particularly on the
title track. With drumbeats that crash like waves, the landscape and the
lighthouse the lyrics speak of come to life through the song. The passionate
musicality and life of this album will transport listeners to the Australia of
Wayland’s youth.
As a
composer, Wayland is deeply rooted in the jazz piano tradition, and this is
highly evident in all his work. He is a graduate of Sydney’s Conservatorium of
Music, where he won the Jack Chrostowski Piano Award. He established himself as
a creative star of the Sydney jazz scene before relocating to the States and
making himself a fixture of New York City’s jazz scene. After moving to the
city 14 years ago, Wayland has been recording at a staggering pace. Now, with
Barrenjoey, he explores broadened stylistic territory in jazz and funk, while
simultaneously harkening back to his roots.
“Better
Down South” is a memory, an autobiographical piece about surfing in the
Ulladulla and Jervis Bay regions of Australia when Wayland was young. Stories
like these, told through his carefully constructed musical harmonies and
rhythms, are close to the artist’s heart. “It’s a stylized, personalized take
on various musical traditions including Australian rock, jazz and funk,”
Wayland says. “There is a musical message that is hard to put into words.”
Listeners to this album will certainly find the message easy to hear: a
personal journey drawing from the music and recollections of Wayland’s past.
'Barrenjoey'
features a number of other talented musicians and performers, including Keith
Carlock on drums, James Muller and Nate Wood on guitar, and Jeff Harley on
bass. Virna Sanzone lends her beautiful vocals to complement Wayland’s singing
throughout the album.
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