James McGowan Ensemble - Reaching Out (2024)

Reaching Out is the conclusion of an extended story that began with the 2023 album Reaching In. Told through music, spoken-word program notes and visual art, this two-album project is in six acts, where each song in the suite is a scene in the story. It depicts a protagonist’s journey from struggles of isolation, low-self-worth, social anxiety, addition and loss, to finding peace, acceptance, belonging and a sense of community. The different instruments of the ensemble generally represent large ideas. Piano—the thoughts of the protagonist; Strings—the emotions of the protagonist; Horn section—the engagement with others and the community; Rhythm section—the protagonist's heartbeat, energy and well-being; with each instrument also having a voice in telling the story. This multi-movement suite is composed and performed as a fusion of jazz and classical styles, featuring powerful musical expression, recurring themes and pervasive musical motifs. “The work is at times theatrical in its parts, sometimes classical, sometimes jazz-inspired, but undoubtedly a grand and beautiful artistic creation.” Paris-Move

James McGowan: piano/keyboards, composer (SOCAN), producer, design
Alex Moxon: guitar
Jean-Philippe Lapensée: bass
Jamie Holmes: drums & percussion
Cendrine Despax & Jean Despax: violin
Olivier Philippe-Auguste & Maxime Despax: viola
Valérie Despax & Cal McGowan: cello
Ed Lister: trumpet
Mark Ferguson: trombone
Petr Cancura: tenor saxophone
Mike Tremblay: tenor and soprano saxophones
Jamaal Amir Akbari: spoken word artist