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.
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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 players: JESSE DIETSCHI on bass and TYLER GOERTZEN on drums. The synergy of the 4 is always palpable in concert. 
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released October 31, 2017
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Nick Maclean - piano
Brownman Ali - trumpet
Jesse Dietschi - bass
Tyler Goertzen - drums
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recorded by Jeremy Darby and Julian Decorte at Canterbury Studios
mixed by Josh Bowman at Bowman Sound
mastered by Nick Blagona at Psychotropic Studios
produced by Brownman Ali
cover art by Dean Shu
liner notes by Dave Restivo