Nick Maclean solo piano
CAN YOU HERE ME? (2021)
#7 in Canada's Earshot Jazz charts
"The prodigiously gifted pianist Nick Maclean... is to be roundly applauded because he literally soars in splendid isolation... to turn in a brilliant recording, where both standards and original compositions come alive with percussive growls, and daintily eloquent phrases."
- Raul Da Gama, The Wholenote (Toronto, Canada)
This double album, a debut SOLO PIANO release from award-winning Toronto pianist NICK MACLEAN, takes influences from jazz piano greats such as Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Brad Mehldau, as well as that of his two divergent ensembles: SNAGGLE and NICK MACLEAN QUARTET. Maclean, who's groups have frequently been lauded for the strength of their collective improvisatory vision, continues here in that unconstrained spirit with courageous risk-taking and musical exploration springing from in-the-moment inspirations. Shaped by Maclean's respect and trust in producer BROWNMAN ALI's impactful, omnipresent guidance, Maclean delivers rich and prismatic interpretations of originals, standards, and other spontaneous contemplations. Thus, this solo pianistic odyssey's completion represents Maclean's most vulnerable, personal, and intimate recordings to date.
"Can You Hear Me?" -- Nick Maclean's debut 18-track, double disk solo album -- features 7 Maclean-penned compositions, 8 standards and 2 spontaneous improvisations, all recorded at the renowned Chalet Studio in Uxbridge. Produced by internationally acclaimed trumpet player and producer Brownman Ali, this new double album was released in Canada on Oct 31, 2021, and internationally on Dec 3, 2021 on Browntasauras Records. This is Maclean's fourth release on Browntasauras Records following those of his two award-winning ensembles SNAGGLE (The Long Slog & Christmas Tune, 2016) and NICK MACLEAN QUARTET (Rites of Ascension, 2017).
released October 31, 2021
:: Nick Maclean -- piano
:: Brownman Ali -- producer, percussion, drum set
:: Chalet Studio -- recording studio (David Chester, owner)
:: Justin Meli -- tracking engineer
:: Josh Bowman -- mix engineer
:: Luisito Orbegoso -- percussion mix engineer
:: Justin Gray -- mastering engineer
:: Browntasauras Records -- record label
:: Orange Grove Publicity -- publicity & marketing
:: Neil Padaloy -- album cover art
:: Dave Restivo -- liner notes
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
– 2022 No.7 on the jazz charts across Canada
'Can You Hear Me?'
– 2022 2X 'Bronze' Global Music Award winner
'Can You Hear Me?' in the ‘instrumental’, and ‘composer’ categories
– 2021 AllAboutJazz.com’s ‘download of the day’
for “Blackbirds”
VIDEOS
Mar 04, 2022
"Not too many artists are willing to assemble a double album for their debut solo release, but the piano extraordinaire Nick Maclean doesn’t seem to be concerned with such formalities..."
- Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Jan 06, 2022
"Might Nick Maclean be to Canadian pianists what Kamasi Washington has become to U.S. saxophonists?... Toronto-based Maclean’s Can You Hear Me? possesses commensurate scope and vision to Washington's name-making The Epic..."
- Jamie Lee Rake, Shepherd Express (Milwaukee, USA)
Jan 05, 2022
"Maclean, whose groups have frequently been lauded for the strength of their collective improvisatory vision, continues here in that unconstrained spirit with courageous risktaking and musical exploration springing from in the moment inspiration..."
- Republic of Jazz
Dec 04, 2021
"Clearly a cut above the usual solo piano set, he's got the skills to pay the bills and keep you in thrall for two discs. Bouncing between originals, covers and improvs, this is a cat so many know well but you could stand to get to know better. A real wiz kid!"
- Chris Spector, The Midwest Record (Illinois, USA)
Mar 07, 2022
"The prodigiously gifted pianist Nick Maclean... is to be roundly applauded because he literally soars in splendid isolation..."
- Raul Da Gama, The Wholenote (Toronto, Canada)
Dec 04, 2021
"It's a very special, yes, impressive solo double album, the Canadian jazz pianist, Nick Maclean, here broadcasts on Brooklyn-based Browntasaurus Records. I inevitably think of names like Keith Jarrett, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Brad Mehldau and Danish Carsten Dahl - great jazz pianists who before Maclean have thrown themselves into equally groundbreaking solo projects..."
- Ivan Rod, journalist, editor, critic (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Dec 11, 2021
Interview with Paul Corby on 'Corby's Orbit'
Dec 11, 2021
Download of the Day on AllAboutJazz.com
Nov 22, 2021
Interview with Gareth Rice on UMFM 101.5's Canadiana Suite.
"...all are strong, compelling tunes, played with finesse and feeling... and if his influences show, so does his own personal voice."
- Dan McClenaghan, AllAboutJazz.com (San Diego, USA)
Apr 03, 2021
Post-recording session discussion between Nick Maclean (artist) & Brownman Ali (producer). Guest cameo appearances from Seeva (dog) and Jasper (cat)
"Nick Maclean has superior piano skills, coupled with great ideas and emotional execution."
- Randy Brecker, jazz trumpet legend (NYC, USA)
