Highly celebrated vocalist and lyricist Rondi Charleston, along with master pianist and composer Fred Hersch, have come together to create Suspended in Time—A Song Cycle, a powerful and introspective meditation on the loss of time itself. The seven-song cycle, featuring the talents of vocalists Kate McGarry and Gabrielle Stravelli, the Crosby String Quartet, clarinetist Bruce Williamson, bassist Matt Aronoff, drummer Kush Abadie, and percussionist Rogerio Boccato, is now available for streaming through Resilience Music Alliance (RMA).
This extraordinary album, which marks Charleston’s seventh release, is an intimate reflection of her experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, capturing the emotional nuances of a world thrown into disarray. Drawing from her personal journal entries, Charleston worked alongside Hersch to bring these words to life, ultimately transforming them into songs that delve into the fragility of time, the disorientation caused by the pandemic, and the need for human connection in an ever-changing world.
Suspended in Time takes listeners on a journey through the seasons, starting with the suspended moment of spring 2020, when everything came to a halt. Through songs like “Sea of Eyes” and “Lullaby,” Charleston shares her vulnerability, her fears, and her longing for moments with loved ones, all while exploring the elasticity of time itself—how some days felt endless while others seemed to vanish in a flash. The album culminates in the hopeful optimism of “Here We Are,” where Charleston reflects on newfound resilience and the lessons learned from living through one of the most uncertain periods in modern history.
In this collaboration, Charleston reflects on how the pandemic caused us all to rethink how we value our time. “We experienced time under a giant magnifying glass,” she shares. “It exposed us to our most vulnerable selves and made us question—how do we choose to spend the time we have left? Who do we spend it with?” This introspection is woven into the heart of the music, a powerful call to reconsider our relationship with time and how we move forward.
What is especially remarkable about Suspended in Time is that Charleston, who has suffered from diminished lung capacity as a result of a two-year battle with Long Covid, does not sing the songs she wrote. Instead, she entrusted the vocal performances to her friends and fellow artists, Kate McGarry and Gabrielle Stravelli. Both singers, who are also label mates on RMA, bring Charleston's poignant lyrics to life with grace and passion. McGarry’s rendition of the opening track “Suspended in Time” is a perfect blend of elegance and melancholy, while Stravelli’s portrayal of “Sea of Eyes” evokes a deep sense of longing and introspection.
The album also features moments of personal vulnerability. In “Lullaby,” Charleston reflects on the isolation of not being able to visit her 90-year-old mother during the height of the pandemic, a deeply personal song that exemplifies the heartbreaking realities faced by many families. Another key moment is Charleston’s only vocal appearance, in the spoken-word piece “Fever Dreams,” where she shares her longing for human contact during the long, isolated months of the pandemic.
Hersch’s arrangements throughout the album are simply exquisite, providing a rich, dynamic backdrop to Charleston’s evocative lyrics. "When Rondi started sending me her lyrics, it gave me a sense of purpose,” Hersch says. “It was a way to make use of a terrible time to do something inspiring, and I hoped it would channel what we were all going through."
Beyond the personal narratives, Suspended in Time also speaks to the collective experience of navigating uncertainty and searching for meaning amid chaos. With songs like “Awakenings,” which captures the euphoria and relief of the vaccine rollout, and “Patience,” which reflects the lessons learned in the long stretch of lockdown, the album offers a poignant and reflective soundtrack for our times.
Fans of both Charleston and Hersch will not want to miss this deeply moving and intimate musical experience. The combination of Charleston’s soul-searching lyrics and Hersch’s virtuosic piano playing creates a timeless reflection on human resilience, connection, and the passage of time.
Upcoming Performance: Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this remarkable collaboration live! Join Rondi Charleston, Fred Hersch, Kate McGarry, Gabrielle Stravelli, and the Crosby String Quartet at Joe’s Pub in NYC on March 30, 2025, at 6 PM.
Praise for Suspended in Time—A Song Cycle: “Charleston’s richly detailed lyrics move the story forward with the precision of a musical production.” — Downbeat
Stream Suspended in Time Today: Now available for streaming on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and more.
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