Alto
saxophonist and composer Will Vinson possesses many gifts; incredible power,
dramatic sensitivity, prodigious technique, and perhaps most importantly, a
captivating sound that you want to hear again and again. John Fordham of The Guardian
described a "superb solo of rugged leathery sounds turning into
mellifluous high notes", with "secure control and storming
energy". While JazzWise Magazine has said that Vinson has a knack for
"combining a thoughtful originality of conception with energy and fluidity
of execution in very satisfying proportions". It is this abundance of
qualities that has made Vinson a serious part of the conversation when talk
turns towards modern jazz musicians who are playing and composing with a high
level of originality and artistry. In addition to being an acclaimed bandleader
with five recordings under his own name, Vinson is a member of several leading
ensembles: Gonzalo Rubalcaba's Quintet (appearing on the Grammy nominated
albums Suite Caminos, and Charlie), Ari Hoenig's Punk Bop and Nonet, Miguel
Zenon's Identities Orchestra (Grammy nominated for Identities are Changeable),
and the much lauded OWL Trio (with Lage Lund and Orlando le Fleming). Vinson
has also toured/recorded with Rufus Wainwright, Sufjan Stevens, Sean Lennon,
Martha Wainwright, Beth Orton and Harper Simon.
Will Vinson
is proud to announce the release of his debut recording for 5Passion and his
sixth overall, Perfectly Out of Place, featuring an all-star group comprised of
Mike Moreno on guitar, Gonzalo Rubalcaba on piano, Matt Penman on bass and Jeff
Ballard on drums. Perfectly Out of Place
follows a string of inspired albums from Vinson: It's For You (Sirocco Jazz,
2004, "an auspicious debut, an album that is as mature in its conception
as it is in its execution" - The NYC Jazz Record, formerly AAJ New York),
Promises (NineteenEight Records, described as "impressive" and
"coolly restrained" by Nate Chinen of The New York Times), The World
(Through My Shoes) (a live recording called "marvelous" by DownBeat
Magazine and "exhilarating, cascading ... outstanding" by JazzTimes),
Stockholm Syndrome (2010, Criss Cross Records), and Live at Smalls (2013), one
of the most successful albums on the Smalls Live label.
With
Perfectly Out of Place Vinson felt ambitious. This album contains
more-than-usual through-composed music from the saxophonist's pen, and also
marks his first use of overdubs, synthesizers, vocals and strings. His aim was
to enhance and augment his Quintet's sound (featured on Vinson's previous five
albums) that many fans and critics have come to know and love. Vinson
elaborated in the album's liner notes, "It was an exciting prospect for
me, but one that was made challenging by the stubborn insistence of everyone in
the band on making everything sound immediately perfect and unimprovable . . .
you get what you pay for, I suppose. I've tried to add without inadvertently
taking away, and I hope you feel it's been a success." He added, "The
entirety of this project, from the music's conception in the mountains of
Banff, Alberta; through the joyous session at Avatar (to my knowledge the
world's greatest recording studio), has been a thrill. One that I'd be happy to
go through again, if it weren't for the fact that this record is now complete
and in the hands of the most important person in the process, the
listener."
Vinson's
collaborators on Perfectly Out of Place include four of the world's most
extraordinary improvising musicians, Mike Moreno, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Matt
Penman and Jeff Ballard. "Their importance to this project cannot be
overstated, each one of them being irreplaceable. It's fair to say that my
personal aesthetic identity would not be quite what it is without the influence
of these masters over the past (gulp) two decades," said Vinson. The
saxophonist also felt exceptionally fortunate to be able to enlist Jamey Haddad
(heard on "Skyrider"), Jo Lawry (heard on "Desolation
Tango" & "Skyrider"), and the Mivos Quartet (heard on "Desolation
Tango", "Skyrider", "Intro to Limp of Faith") to
contribute to this project. "Jamey's vibe and generosity of spirit are
legendary, and his playing joyous and infectious. It's hard to think of anyone
other than Jo who would have the chops, not to mention relished the challenge, to
achieve what was asked of her in this recording. I first heard Mivos right at
the time I was beginning to consider using strings on this project. They
performed Steve Reich's Different Trains and completely blew me away",
said Vinson.
On Perfectly
Out of Place, the listener gets unadulterated "Will Vinson music";
which not only means playing and composing that combines a great knowledge and
respect for the century-long jazz tradition, with explorations into the
rhythmic, harmonic and melodic realms of contemporary forms, but this artist's
brilliant vision brought to life with great skill and unmitigated passion.
Tracks: 1. Desolation Tango, 2. Upside, 3.
Willoughby General, 4. Skyrider, 5. Intro To Limp of Faith, 6. Limp of Faith,
7. Stiltskin (Some Drunk Funk), 8. Chalk It Up, 9. The Clock Killer, 10.
Perfectly Out of Place.
