Montréal-based jazz drummer, composer, and bandleader Valérie Lacombe steps confidently into the spotlight with her debut album State of Garden and Shadow, set for release on April 17, 2026 via Rhea Records. A deeply personal and musically rich project, the album introduces Lacombe not only as a formidable percussionist, but as a thoughtful composer whose work reflects a period of artistic and personal transformation.
The album’s evocative title, inspired by Clarice Lispector’s Água Viva, conjures imagery of growth, duality, and renewal. That sense of cultivation runs throughout the record, serving as a metaphor for Lacombe’s own creative evolution. Developed during her master’s studies at McGill University under the mentorship of Kevin Dean and Darrell Green, the project captures a moment of transition—where discipline, exploration, and identity converge.
Across seven original compositions, Lacombe crafts a soundscape that feels both intimate and expansive. The ensemble she assembled brings together a remarkable blend of voices: DownBeat Rising Star saxophonist Camille Thurman on tenor, alto saxophonist Caoilainn Power, and veteran bassist Ira Coleman. Their interplay is fluid and expressive, with each musician contributing distinct tonal colors that enrich the album’s overall texture. The inclusion of Benny Golson’s classic “Out of the Past” adds a nod to jazz tradition while seamlessly fitting into Lacombe’s modern, cohesive vision.
Critics have already taken note. Veteran jazz journalist Zan Stewart describes the recording as “fresh, vital, warm, and open,” highlighting the chemistry between the saxophonists and the “deftly-animated” leadership of Lacombe herself. It’s a fitting assessment for an album that balances technical precision with emotional depth, offering performances that feel both grounded and exploratory.
State of Garden and Shadow also marks a significant milestone in Lacombe’s growing career. Beyond her work as a bandleader, she has built an impressive résumé as a collaborator. She is a member of the JUNO-nominated collective The Ostara Project, touring extensively across Canada, including the Yukon, and contributing to their recordings Roots (2025) and the forthcoming Wings (2026). As a side musician, she has also recorded with JUNO-winning vocalist Laura Anglade, further demonstrating her versatility and presence within the contemporary jazz scene.
The album was recorded in Montréal on April 7 and 8, 2024, capturing a moment in time that now arrives fully realized two years later. Tracks like “Jupiter,” “Persona,” “Found a Friend Here,” and “Who’s Afraid of Clarice Hana” hint at a wide emotional and sonic range, while compositions such as “In Case I Forget You” and “Later for That” suggest a reflective, narrative-driven approach to writing.
At its core, State of Garden and Shadow is about emergence—about stepping into one’s voice while embracing the complexity that comes with it. With this debut, Valérie Lacombe establishes herself as a compelling new voice in jazz, one whose music invites listeners into a space of curiosity, connection, and continual growth.
No comments:
Post a Comment