At age 27, Isamu McGregor has established himself on a global scale as a
highly sought-after pianist, keyboardist, musical director and
arranger. Having toured the world over the last few years with an
amazingly diverse group of artists (Richard Bona, Colbie Caillat, Virgil
Donati, Sadao Watanabe), he has gradually been finding time between
tours to work on his new album, Resonance, which is available LA-based
Ghost Note Records. This will be his second album as a leader, following
his 2012 debut Live at The Baked Potato, which received strong reviews
from All About Jazz and other publications ('A bright talent, and a name
from whom we're sure to hear a lot more'). While McGregor's first album
was dominated by an electric/fusion sound that many characterized as a
unique mix of Weather Report, Headhunters and Wayne Krantz, Resonance
finds McGregor returning to a more acoustic setting. 'I've always loved
playing acoustic piano, but I found that people knew me mainly as a
keyboard player, due to the nature of my first album. And while I love
keyboards and electronics, it would not be difficult for me to admit
that acoustic piano is still my first passion.' Resonance offers a mix
of both acoustic and electric palettes that mutually inspire each other.
McGregor plays grand piano on all but one track, while various
keyboards and synthesizers make appearances throughout the record.
Electric bassist Evan Marien and drummer Gene Coye return to provide a
strong foundation that effortlessly accommodates the shifting styles
from song to song. Guitarist Deen Anbar (who played on McGregor's first
record in its entirety) makes a memorable appearance on 'Thor vs James
Brown', and two special guests lend inspiration and lyricism to the
acoustic side: Bennie Maupin on bass clarinet ('The Drifter'), and
Seamus Blake on tenor saxophone ('Relentless').
Monday, August 28, 2017
USA: Isamu Mcgregor- Resonance (Ghost Note Records 2017)
At age 27, Isamu McGregor has established himself on a global scale as a
highly sought-after pianist, keyboardist, musical director and
arranger. Having toured the world over the last few years with an
amazingly diverse group of artists (Richard Bona, Colbie Caillat, Virgil
Donati, Sadao Watanabe), he has gradually been finding time between
tours to work on his new album, Resonance, which is available LA-based
Ghost Note Records. This will be his second album as a leader, following
his 2012 debut Live at The Baked Potato, which received strong reviews
from All About Jazz and other publications ('A bright talent, and a name
from whom we're sure to hear a lot more'). While McGregor's first album
was dominated by an electric/fusion sound that many characterized as a
unique mix of Weather Report, Headhunters and Wayne Krantz, Resonance
finds McGregor returning to a more acoustic setting. 'I've always loved
playing acoustic piano, but I found that people knew me mainly as a
keyboard player, due to the nature of my first album. And while I love
keyboards and electronics, it would not be difficult for me to admit
that acoustic piano is still my first passion.' Resonance offers a mix
of both acoustic and electric palettes that mutually inspire each other.
McGregor plays grand piano on all but one track, while various
keyboards and synthesizers make appearances throughout the record.
Electric bassist Evan Marien and drummer Gene Coye return to provide a
strong foundation that effortlessly accommodates the shifting styles
from song to song. Guitarist Deen Anbar (who played on McGregor's first
record in its entirety) makes a memorable appearance on 'Thor vs James
Brown', and two special guests lend inspiration and lyricism to the
acoustic side: Bennie Maupin on bass clarinet ('The Drifter'), and
Seamus Blake on tenor saxophone ('Relentless').