Philadelphia trumpeter, composer and bandleader John Vanore is finally releasing Easter Island Suite, a cinematic and long-awaited album nearly four decades in the making. Arriving February 6, 2026 via his Acoustical Concepts label, the project features Vanore’s distinctive ensemble Abstract Truth and brings to life the awe, mystery and cultural resonance of Easter Island and its iconic moai.
Long praised as “Philadelphia’s greatest big band leader and also its best-kept secret” (Jerry Gordon, WPRB-FM) and an artist who pushes “expressive possibilities in the realm of big band culture” (Josef Woodard, DownBeat), Vanore has spent more than 40 years nurturing the ideas that culminate in this sweeping four-movement suite.
The story began on Easter Sunday in 1984, when Vanore wondered about “the loneliest place on Earth” and immediately thought of Easter Island. That curiosity launched him into writing the opening theme for what would become “Discovery,” first recorded on Abstract Truth’s 1990 debut Blue Route. By the end of the ’80s he had completed all four movements—yet the project would go dormant as Abstract Truth entered a long hiatus. After reviving the ensemble in 2009 and recording additional movements in 2012, Vanore has finally completed the full suite with sessions extending into 2024.
Despite spanning 35 years of recording dates, Easter Island Suite feels remarkably unified. Long-standing band members deepen that continuity: Michael Mee’s alto sax and flute, Craig Thomas’ bass, Ron Thomas’ piano, Bob Howell’s saxophone and bass clarinet, and Greg Kettinger’s guitar all weave through the suite’s evolving landscapes.
Vanore’s intent is immersive: to take listeners directly to the island. “Discovery” evokes the shock of encountering the massive moai for the first time, its tenor sax capturing their immensity and mystery. “Gods & Devils” explores the island’s spiritual tensions, with trumpet and tenor sax embodying mythic forces. “Secret Caves” acts as a subterranean exploration, while “Rano Raraku” channels the serene volcanic quarry where the moai were born. Across the suite, tension and fascination remain central—mirroring the island’s still-unsolved mysteries that have captivated Vanore for decades.
A veteran performer, educator and producer, Vanore has shaped Philadelphia’s jazz landscape since his early days studying with Dennis Sandole and touring with Woody Herman. His ensemble Abstract Truth continues to evolve while honoring the lineage of bold, large-ensemble jazz. Easter Island Suite stands as his most ambitious statement yet: beautiful, haunting and deeply human.
John Vanore and Abstract Truth – Easter Island Suite
Acoustical Concepts – AC-160
Recorded Oct. 1989, June 27–28, 2012, and June 19, 2024
Release Date: February 6, 2026
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