Tim Shaghoian - Gentle Beacons (2020)

With a lyrical modern jazz sensibility, saxophonist/composer Tim Shaghoian's debut album is a thoughtful exploration of hope and wonder. Speaking to the beauty of human connection and grappling with the emotional fallout from loss, Shaghoian's compositions developed as gentle beacons guiding him toward a sense of clarity in understanding life events that have impacted him most. His nine original compositions, performed by his California-based quintet of guitarist Chris Janzen, pianist Kevin Person Jr., bassist Richard Giddens, and drummer Antonio Montanez, dance with subtle shifts of emotion while song-like melodies are framed in unexpected rhythmic and harmonic structures. The album was produced by modern jazz luminary Peter Epstein, a longtime mentor of Shaghoian's.