Weaving

TRACKLIST:

01) WEAVING (6’ 42”)
02) SECOND THOUGHTS (5’ 21”)
03) BEFORE THE WIND (9’ 08”)
04) IT SEEMS TO BE (10’ 09”)
05) IN MY SLUMBER (8’ 42”)
06) IN FLUX (9’ 06”)
07) HOLIDAY OFFERING (8’ 09”)
08) WAVER (6’ 37”)

total time: 63’ 52”

PERSONNEL:

Jonathan Wires – bass
Josh Hunt – drums/percussion
Jeff Coffin – tenor sax/soprano sax/clarinet/bass clarinet
Matt Endahl – wurlitzer

Special Guests:
Don Aliquo – bass clarinet (track 5)
Lindsey Miller – guitar (track 6)
James Westfall – vibraphone (track 8)
Jamey Simmons – trumpet (track 8)

RECORDING INFO:

Produced by Jonathan Wires & Jeff Coffin

Recorded December, 2014 / January 2015 ITA Studios, Nashville, TN

Engineered by Jeff Coffin

Mixed by Jon Estes

Mastered by Richard Aspinwall

All compositions by Jonathan Wires

FROM JONATHAN:

When Jeff Coffin asked me about recording my music, I was a little hesitant about it at first. I’d never really thought about preserving my music. I’ve always thought of my music as being a temporary experience. So, to be asked to record my music and to have him as an integral part of it was a humbling feeling. I can’t be thankful enough for all that he has done.

This project includes a variety of pieces that I’ve written over the last few years. When we started the project I wasn’t sure what compositions I wanted to record. I was lucky to get my favorite players who are also my dearest friends involved. I knew that I wanted to showcase their talents more than anything else. Also, I wanted to create frameworks for the sounds and shapes that I find interest in. I tried to create context and structures for the melodies, harmonies, and rhythms that I like to play on that would also hopefully inspired my fellow bandmates/friends. - JW

ALBUM NOTES:

Weaving: The piece starts out with a 9 beat bass figure broken into a 4 and 5 beat syncopated ostinato. It then gravitates to a modern waltz-like section with a few bars of 4/4 tucked away safe measure. It also incorporates some cross-rhythm ideas, which is something I like to play around with. If you ask me, Matt and Jeff’s solos are really the highpoint of the piece. This piece was inspired by the fabric weaving of my wife’s father. I love how all the strands of thread interact with one another creating a variety of geometrical shapes, reminiscent of music.

Second Thoughts: I suppose is an attempt at synchronizing the funky with the cerebral. I like the interplay between the bass and sax during the initial melody statement. The solo section jostles between two tonal areas. The drum solo is over one bar of 4/4, a bar of 6/4, and then three bars of 4/4 for a total of 22 beats. And let me say that Josh kills it!

Before the Wind: This is a pretty simple ballad piece. I felt that I needed something that wasn’t overly “cerebral” and could just live in a quiet space.

It Seem to Be: In recent years I’ve found a lot of inspiration from Balkan folk-dance music traditions. I’ve always been interested in asymmetrical time feels. I try to make those kinds of rhythms feel “natural” and not forced, just as they do in those parts of the world. It’s based around a based around a 14 and ½ beat ostinato in the A sections with the bridge in 4/4. We decided to extend the bridge and free it up with a beautiful duo played between Jeff and Matt. The coda then migrates to a 9 beat cycle with a wonderful and inspiring solo by Josh.

In My Slumber: There is this moment between sleep and wakefulness where my mind starts to wonder freely and hearthings. This piece came out moments like that. It is basically broken into three main sections. I wanted to capitalize on the beautiful darkness that the bass clarinet offers. There was no better that I could think of to truly capture it than Don Aliquo. His keen sense of musical direction and while being like an untamed beast truly inspire me. It’s not an easy piece by any measure. But Don and Josh tamed that beast!

In Flux: I wrote this piece some time ago. It reflects a time before I moved to Nashville when I was living in Memphis and trying to figure it all out. In general, it’s a pretty laid back piece. However, I wanted it to have an edge to it that I knew Lindsey Miller could provide. She has a way to give something a little different to the mix. I wanted this piece to be aggressive, loose, and free. I have to say this is one my favorite solos by Matt. His opening figure is still stuck in my mind. My favorite part is towards the end when we really let loose and get outside a bit.

Holiday Offering: These are a trio compositions that feature Jeff. I’ve always loved sax, bass Holiday Offering: I’ve always felt that as beautiful as holiday’s are, there is always a sense of solemnity to them. They are not only a time to celebrate but also a time to reflect. I feel that Jeff completely capsulated the character of what I was after in this piece; hope, thoughtfulness, and reflection. It’s one of my favorite solos on the album.

Waver: I actually wrote this piece with James Westfall and Jamey Simmons in mind. I really like that James’ sound seems to “wavers” through the air like a balloon. Jamey’s trumpet playing always knocks me out. He’s steep with tradition but never anchored to it. This piece has a variety of influences including Herbie Hancock’s work from the late 60’s, Thomas Tallis, an English Renaissance composer, and some pop-like music. It starts out in 4/4 time before moving to a 7 beat cycle and then morphs into a 3/4 sections with some counterpoint occurring between the trumpet and tenor. I’m a fan of multiple melodies occurring at the same time. There’s just something so wonderful about a cacophony of melodies. Also, one thing I wanted to do with this piece is for it to never come back to the beginning. It’s intriguing to have music bloom from start to finish with little to no repetition.