MUSIC
SOLO PIANO
This contemplative and prismatic performance of the Vince Guaraldi holiday classic comes from JUNO nominated and 10X Global Music Award winning pianist NICK MACLEAN, who takes influences from jazz piano greats such as Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Brad Mehldau for his solo piano ruminations. Maclean, whose two divergent ensembles, Snaggle and Nick Maclean Quartet, are frequently lauded for their collective improvisatory vision, continues here in that unconstrained spirit with courageous risk-taking and musical exploration springing from in-the-moment inspirations.
Tracked during the "Can You Hear Me?" (2021, Browntasauras Records) sessions at the renowned Chalet Studio in Uxbridge, ON, "Christmas Time Is Here" was recorded spontaneously as a single take. Shaped by Maclean's respect and trust in his acclaimed producer BROWNMAN ALI's impactful omnipresent guidance, the result is a rich palette of gentle solo piano performance suffused with a warm holiday spirit.
"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... Maclean delivers rich and prismatic interpretations of originals, standards, and other spontaneous contemplations."
- Republic of Jazz
NICK MACLEAN QUARTET
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.
"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)
JUNO Nominee "Jazz Album of the Year"
2X Global Music Award Winner
1st Place 'Unsigned Only' Competition
SOLO PIANO
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.
"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)
#7 Canada Earshot Jazz Charts
2X Global Music Award Winner
'Download of the Day' on All About Jazz
NICK MACLEAN QUARTET
This album, the debut release from the Nick Maclean Quartet, represents a modern re-imagining of the spirit of Herbie Hancock's primordial 60's quartet. Not to be confused with a "tribute" recording, this record has a character of its own, while being an homage to Hancock's influence on Maclean both as pianist and composer. The depth of the synergistic connectivity between all 4 hand-picked members of Maclean's quartet are a cornerstone to the ensemble's sound and group dynamic. Thus its completion represents Maclean's examination of the modern jazz ethos with all the intriguing challenges, opportunities and possibilities that go with it.
"here’s a hot CD by a Canadian-based jazz group playing four pieces by Herbie Hancock mixed in with a plethora of original tunes by the leader (Nick Maclean) and trumpeter Brownman Ali... this band is like a tonic; they wake you up and put some pep in your step! An outstanding album, one that should put the Maclean Quartet firmly on the musical map. No two ways about it, the Nick Maclean Quartet has staked out its claim in the jazz world and intends to stick around."
- Lynn Rene Bayley, The Art Music Lounge (Cincinnati, USA)
3X Global Music Award Winner
'Top 5' albums of Spring 2018
Julian Award of Excellence nominee
SNAGGLE
Far from being a typical Holiday Season release, "Christmas tune" is a commentary on some of the defining characteristics of modern commercial Christmas music, much of which are written in major keys, and are drenched in so much saccharin that it red-lines the "happy-happy" meter. Instead, bandleader Nick Maclean's composition presents an antithesis to that Holiday writing approach -- an eclectic and multifaceted exploration of the full spectrum of human emotion.
"A curator might do a little better vetting the pieces a band will play. On the whole we enjoyed the youthful vigor and musical risk-taking, or 'fender-bending' of Snaggle. But we found the mockery of 'Christmas' offensive... Imagine Jewish guests being treated to a screed on Rosh Hashannah or Yom Kipur, as might have been tried by a Telefunken band in 1933."
- actual quote from a disgruntled concert attendee (Almonte, Canada)
"Metric modulations, meter changes, tempo shifts, counter-point lines, but all with underlying melodic ideas that captivate while shifting from hard funk to gentle motifs... they're SERIOUS... a truly astonishing ensemble!"
- Brownman Ali, National Jazz Award winning trumpet player (Brooklyn, USA)
SNAGGLE
This album, the sophomore release from Snaggle, represents a rich palette of highly diverse original music featuring the band's current incarnation. They initially faced much internal political turmoil and uncertainty in the early stages of the makings of this record - the end result being the departure of some players and the heart-felt welcoming of newer exciting additions. Thus its completion marks the triumphant end to a long stage in Snaggle's evolution and the beginning of a new chapter with all the intriguing challenges, opportunities and possibilities that go with it.
"... Snaggle is most impressive! The music on Long Slog is very, very challenging, yet groovy, soulful & exploratory at the same time.... Extremely well performed, written and executed. Reminds me of a band I used to play in!"
- Randy Brecker, multi-Grammy winning trumpet legend (NYC, USA)
"Snaggle is... music for the toes, feet and heart" - George Harris, JazzWeekly.com
Toronto Independent Music Award
3X Global Music Award Winner
Int Independent Music Award nominee
SNAGGLE & SINGERS
This EP represents something of an experiment from Snaggle. In collaboration with 3 Toronto vocalists the group presents an eclectic blend of sounds that dips into pop, blues, and folk originals interpreted through the lens of electric jazz. Recorded in the Lower Jazz Studio at the University of Toronto, the EP features the work of Will Bowes, Denielle Bassels, and Mara Nesrallah, arranged by bandleader Nick Maclean and brought to life in a recording that features each singer paired with the Snaggle ensemble, and culminating with a final track that features all of the performers.
SNAGGLE
This album, the debut release from Snaggle, represents Nick Maclean's first offerings into the world of modern, electric jazz. Recorded at Humber Studios as a collaboration between Maclean and bassist Doug Moore as their 4th year recording project, the record is full of youthful vigor and exploration as the 6 members of Snaggle step into the world of electric jazz exploring influences like Miles Davis, the Brecker Brothers, and Weather Report, alongside modern evolutions like Snarky Puppy, Joshua Redman, and Hiromi Uehara.
"The ever-present technical precision of jazz music is wonderfully complimented by catchy and upbeat funk rhythms. Psychedelic and bluesy guitar riffs add a whole other dimension to their sound that is reinforced by dark and dreamy keyboard parts."
- BloodyUnderated.net
Maclean's debut release