Baritone saxophonist Jonah Parzen-Johnson and Istanbul-based drummer and sound designer Berke Can Özcan join forces for It Was Always Time, their debut duo album out on We Jazz Records. The project is a radiant testament to curiosity, collaboration, and the joy of creating together, offering a refreshing antidote to cynicism in a complex world.
The origins of the duo are as spontaneous as the music itself. In April 2022, Parzen-Johnson boarded a flight from New York to Istanbul for a one-off concert with Özcan, meeting the drummer for the first time only thirty minutes before soundcheck. Yet from their very first notes, the chemistry was undeniable: urgent, playful, and deeply intuitive. This initial encounter laid the foundation for an album that would traverse continents, time zones, and cultures, capturing the immediacy and warmth of their connection.
Recorded across disparate locations, It Was Always Time blends acoustic percussion, found-sound samples, and rich synth textures to frame Parzen-Johnson’s expressive saxophone melodies. Although largely improvised, the album achieves a compositional coherence, as each track unfolds with trust, empathy, and meticulous attention to detail. The music moves fluidly between moods, drawing listeners into a sonic dialogue that feels both intimate and expansive.
More than just a record, the album is a reminder of the transformative power of collaboration. In an era defined by social and political upheaval, it offers a gentle call to curiosity, shared joy, and the creation of something meaningful together. It Was Always Time is both a declaration and a celebration: the time for connection and artistic adventure is now—and it always was.
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