LA Sessions- the
new album by young ground-breaking singer and songwriter Calvin Arsenia is
available now on CenterCut Records. The six-track record is a follow up to the
harpist/multi-instrumentalist's critically acclaimed debut CANTALOUPE and
features the achingly haunting single "Back To You" (LISTEN HERE).
Known for his magnetic voice and incandescent use of imagery
and costumes, Calvin lets his soulful hypnotic vocal style rule while gathering
around him some of music's most sought out musicians. His ability to seamlessly
bend genres and fuse diverse musical styles shines through on multiple standout
tracks, including "Falling Over," the playful "Poseidon,"
the gospel tinged "Dying," the jazzy R&B scorcher, "Smoke
And Mirrors" and a smoldering version of Billie Holiday's treasured
"Don't Explain."
435 Magazine calls LA Sessions "…a timeless blend of
soul, jazz and magic, bolstered by an all-star backing ensemble, and it
showcases yet another side of Arsenia the chameleon."
Produced by Tony Braunagel, LA Sessions deftly showcases the
eclectic young artist's incredible vocal gift and features Braunagel on
percussion, Paul Brown on guitar, Mike Finnigan on keyboards, Freddie
Washington on bass, and David Garfield on piano. Between them, the five musicians
have worked with some of music's most iconic names, including Jimi Hendrix,
George Benson, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Leonard Cohen, Bonnie Raitt, and
more.
Arsenia's creative journey began when he moved to the Kansas
City suburb of Olathe, teaching himself the guitar, and eventually the
harp. He learned his signature
instrument at the age of 20, creating an irresistible alchemy of folk, rock,
classical, rap and R&B, which has become his calling card in the Kansas
City music scene and beyond.
Upon his national debut in 2018 he was named Kansas City's
Best Musician (PitchKC/2018) while NPR said, " What may seem like
genre-hopping in his latest album, Cantaloupe, is actually Arsenia looking past
the boundaries of his gospel background and classical training to find the most
direct line of expression to inform our common struggles…This is beautiful
music with the capacity to create the shared immersive experience Arsenia
reaches for. We are all the richer."
A US Tour kicks off September 27th at The Mint in Los
Angeles, CA.
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