Canadian guitarist and composer Dan Pitt unveils his latest project, Horizontal Depths, the second album from his quintet featuring Naomi McCarroll-Butler (alto saxophone and bass clarinet), Patrick Smith (tenor and soprano saxophones), Alex Fournier (double bass), and Nick Fraser (drums and cymbals). Recorded at Union Sound Company in Toronto and engineered, mixed, and mastered by Fedge, the album demonstrates Pitt’s ongoing evolution as a composer and bandleader in the Canadian jazz scene.
Following his 2019 debut Fundamentally Flawed, Pitt has continued to expand his ensemble’s sonic palette, integrating intricate linear melodies, contrapuntal interplay, and cross-genre influences ranging from post-minimalism to Balkan folk, modern chamber music, and even bursts of heavy rock. The title Horizontal Depths is a nod to the late jazz legend Phil Nimmons, who guided Pitt to explore dynamic horizontal interplay in music, moving beyond purely vertical harmonic structures.
The 41-minute album features eight compositions, including multi-part explorations like “Horizontal Depths Part One and Two,” the bold opener “27 Hours,” and reflective tracks such as “The Sorrow” and “Lester Sleeps In.” Throughout, Pitt and his quintet emphasize melodic lines, improvisational dialogue, and ensemble color, producing a concentrated, vibrant, and meticulously crafted listening experience.
Pitt, a University of Toronto graduate and Stingray Rising Star Award recipient, has studied with luminaries such as Phil Nimmons, Tony Malaby, Ben Monder, and David Torn. His work has been supported by the Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, and Canada Council for the Arts, and his compositional ingenuity shines through on Horizontal Depths, solidifying his place as one of Canada’s most imaginative jazz voices.
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