Nick Maclean Quartet feat Brownman Ali
CONVERGENCE (2023)
2024 JUNO Nominee "Jazz Album of the Year (group)"
"I was a great fan of Herbie Hancock’s 60’s music. Nick Maclean Quartet is very solid. « Convergence » is one of the best Canadian albums of 2023 and should have chances to get a Juno."
- Denys Lelièvre, CKRL (Quebec City, Canada)
This album, the sophomore release from the Nick Maclean Quartet, represents a continued modern reimagining of the spirit of Herbie Hancock's primordial 60's quartet, extending many of the ideas from their first award-winning recording "Rites of Ascension". Evolution abounds throughout this 2nd recording, with greater cross-pollinated experimentation between genres, more sophisticated & intricate writing from Maclean's pen, and further exploration of Herbie Hancock's classic cannon. As per their 1st album, the depth of the synergistic connectivity between these 4 hand-picked members of Maclean's quartet are again a cornerstone to the ensemble's sound and group dynamic. Maclean advances his examination of the modern jazz ethos here, with all the intriguing challenges, opportunities and possibilities that go with it.
This contemplative and often thrilling quartet's explorations of modern, original repertoire is led by fast-rising piano star NICK MACLEAN -- a 10x Global Music Award winner, a Toronto Independent Music Award winner, and one of the most in-demand young jazz piano players in Toronto -- this contemplative yet thrilling quartet delivers jazz between the two poles of thoughtful introspection and powerhouse conveyance, taking influences from Herbie Hancock's primordial 1960's Blue Note era recordings, while paying tribute to some of the greatest improvisers in jazz history.
Maclean's quartet heavily features one of Canada's most provocative improvising trumpet players -- BROWNMAN ALI, heralded as "Canada's preeminent jazz trumpet player" by New York City's Village Voice. Recognized as an internationally acclaimed jazz iconoclast, he currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY & Toronto, Canada and is a 2x National Jazz Award winner. This jazz veteran is best known globally as the last trumpet player with the legendary jazz-hip-hop group GURU's JAZZMATAZZ, having replaced Donald Byrd in that seminal ensemble. Ali & Maclean stand shoulder to shoulder with two of Toronto's top-tier rhythm section 20-somethings: BEN DUFF on bass and JACOB WUTZKE on drums. The synergy of the 4 is always palpable in concert.
released October 27, 2023
Nick Maclean -- piano
Brownman Ali -- trumpet, producer
Ben Duff -- bass
Jacob Wutzke -- drums
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Jesse Dietschi -- bass (track 1)
Mike Downes -- bass (track 5)
Mateo Mancuso -- drums (track 5)
Luisito Orbegoso -- congas and bells (track 11)
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Revolution Recording -- recording studio (Kim Cooke, booker)
Stephen Koszler -- head tracking engineer
Luke Schindler -- assistant tracking engineer
Wayne Ferguson -- piano tuner
Josh Bowman -- mix engineer
Justin Gray -- mastering engineer
Dean Shu -- cover art
Daryl Angier -- liner notes
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Thomas Varey -- director of photography
Brittany Farhat -- camera crew
Matthew Fong -- camera crew
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Canada Council for the Arts -- funding
Ontario Arts Council -- funding
Toronto Arts Council -- funding
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Browntasauras Records -- record label
Steve Danic (Browntasauras Records) -- publicist
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
– 2024 JUNO NOMINEE
'Convergence' nominated for ‘Jazz Album of the Year (group)’
– 2024 International Songwriting Competition
Winner: for ‘Wisdom of Aurelius’
– 2024 International Songwriting Competition
Finalist: for ‘Road Warrior’
– 2024 International Songwriting Competition
Semifinalist: for ‘Why The Caged Bird Sings’
– 2024 Couleurs Jazz Hit winner
presented by Couleurs Jazz Radio (Paris, France)
– 2023 Unsigned Only Competition (1st Place)
‘Road Warrior’ wins 1st place in ‘Jazz’ category
– 2023 Jazz in the City’s 'Best of 2023’ on Jazz FM91
'Convergence'
– 2023 Textura’s '2023 Top 30 Jazz Picks’
'Convergence’ listed at #24
– 2023 2X 'Silver' Global Music Award winner
'Convergence' in the ‘band’, and ‘album’ categories
VIDEOS
Nov 29, 2023
"Nick Maclean's new quartet recording "Convergence", featuring my main man Brownman Ali, is simply Jazz of the highest order!"
- Randy Brecker, multi-Grammy winning trumpet legend (New York City, USA)
Apr 04, 2024
"...pianist Maclean has a prodigious gift for the melodic. Together with trumpeter Brownman Ali he has been a magnet for some fine young musicians..."
- Raul da Gama, the Wholenote (Toronto, Canada)
Dec 05, 2024
"Marked by Nick Maclean’s sophisticated writing and deeper exploration of Hancock’s classic catalog, Convergence showcases a fearless crew advancing the modern jazz ethos, embracing risks for collective narrative exploration and personal expression."
- Jazziz (Florida, USA)
Oct 17, 2023
"The connections shared by the four are strong... with each participant operating at a high level and responsive to the interactive flow."
- Ron Schepper, Textura (Peterborough, Canada)
Sep 07, 2023
"Young Toronto-based pianist Nick Maclean and his quartet offer his second sensational album with the impressive “Convergence” delivering a host of new original material that’s exciting, explosive and infectious."
- Edward Blanco, AllAboutJazz.com and WDNA, 88.9FM (Miami, USA)
Dec 04, 2023
"I can only hope that this quartet will make further recordings as a unit. They are splendid and complement each other in a way that is rare in today’s jazz world."
- Lynn Rene Bayley, The Art Music Lounge (Cincinnati, USA)
Mar 13, 2024
"Nick Maclean, a pianist of exceptional skill and sensitivity, channels Hancock's pioneering ethos into the quartet's original compositions, creating a sound that is at once nostalgic and forward-looking."
- Glenn Astarita, AllAboutJazz.com (Winchester, USA)
Oct 02, 2023
"“CONVERGENCE,” from the Nick Maclean Quartet featuring trumpeter Brownman Ali, is indeed a convergence – of four distinct talents coming together to make a whole work of accomplished sound."
- Rich Tozier, Jazz Tonight - Maine Public Radio (Bangor, USA)
Aug 02, 2023
"Rooted in bop, Nick Maclean Quartet is the sound of new jazz. Energy and innovation delivered with precision."
- Russell Barling, The Sweet Spot - CHLY 101.7 FM (Nanaimo, CANADA)
Aug 23, 2023
"...bold, fresh, uncompromising... In a perfect world, these jazz brothers would be rock stars. They are to me."
- John Marcus, Smooth Soul Radio (Bonaire, USA)
Dec 10, 2023
"Nick embodies all of the aspects of contemporary piano playing that I love: deep groove, rhythmic and harmonic spontaneity, a broad timbral usage of what the piano is capable of, and his playing shows that he values the musical traditions that came before him. To me, he’s embodying the same spirit that Herbie’s music has always exemplified."
- Adrean Farrugia, Juno award-winning pianist (Halifax, Canada)
Aug 29, 2023
"It is a great date with everyone in inspired form plus it's real Jazz, no jive!"
- Gavin Walker, CITR (Vancouver, Canada)
"Nick Maclean's latest quartet release "Convergence" is a tour de force of modern jazz. The recording comprises 11 original compositions penned by accomplished young pianist Nick Maclean and outstanding veteran trumpeter Brownman Ali, as well as 3 Herbie Hancock classics, Dolphin Dance, Eye of the Hurricane & Butterfly. The quartet is rounded out by the rock-solid Ben Duff on acoustic bass and the powerfully versatile Jacob Wutzke on drums, who all tackle this challenging material with great aplomb. There is a wonderful group dynamic and tremendous interplay between the ensemble members as they push the envelope of contemporary jazz improvisation. A must listen to see why they were just nominated for a JUNO Award (Canada's GRAMMY)!"
- Stich Wynston, acclaimed drummer for the SHUFFLE DEMONS (Toronto, Canada)
Mar 23, 2024
"...the quartet runs with this late-60s inspired concept with freshness and vitality. Convergence is high energy, high quality and highly recommended."
- Mike Murley, Multi-JUNO Award winning Canadian saxophonist icon
Jan 09, 2024
"A quartet that explores the immeasurable mysteries of eternal jazz. Their resolutely modern playing is full of appeal."
- Couleurs Jazz Radio (Paris, France)
"I was a great fan of Herbie Hancock’s 60’s music. Nick Maclean Quartet is very solid. « Convergence » is one of the best Canadian albums of 2023 and should have chances to get a Juno."
- Denys Lelièvre, CKRL (Quebec City, Canada)
"...I am playing it to the hilt. I love it. I’ll probably play the whole thing before I’m done. Thank you very much. Please send me more!"
- Eddie Dunn, KWIT (Sioux City, USA)
