For those unaware, HGBS Blue Records is proud to announce the March 31st, 2023 release of Septology – The Black Forest Session by the newly assembled all-star ensemble, the Canadian Jazz Collective.

The CJC is fronted by three of Canada’s most acclaimed and accomplished jazz treasures: saxophonist Kirk MacDonald, guitarist Lorne Lofsky and trumpeter Derrick Gardner.

Augmented by clarinetist Virginia MacDonald and supported by a noted rhythm section comprised of pianist Brian Dickinson, bassist Neil Swainson and drummer Bernd Reiter, this innovative septet takes a collaborative approach to the presentation of original Canadian jazz, and blends the unique artistic visions of the leaders into one creative and cohesive voice.

Since the 1950’s, Canada has played an indispensable role in the jazz vista. Oscar Peterson, Maynard Ferguson and Gil Evans are just some of the iconic figures that called Canada home. Today, Canada continues to be a reliable source for some of the world’s best jazz artists, with a robust and vibrant musical scene.

The Canadian Jazz Collective strives to uphold that tradition, and to display their virtuosic, world-class artistry through the performance of original work. “The idea is to put together musicians with a similar aesthetic, who approach the music with openness and respectfulness of each other’s personalities, and to bring them to the forefront,” shares MacDonald, adding, “it’s the idea that the whole should be greater than the sum of the parts.”

1. Dig That! (Derrick Gardner) (7:25)
2. The Time Being (Lorne Lofsky) (4:38)
3. Waltz You Needn’t (Lorne Lofsky) (6:33)
4. Silent Voices (Kirk MacDonald) (7:46)
5. Highway 9 (Lorne Lofsky) (5:49)*
6. Shadows (Kirk MacDonald) (8:44)
7. Terre de DuSable (Derrick Gardner) (9:35)
8. One Thing Led to Another (Derrick Gardner) (8:08)*
*Bonus tracks on CD and digital

Septology, which was recorded at the iconic MPS Studios (Most Perfect Sound) in Villingen, Germany, located on the Eastern edge of the Black Forest, opens on the joyously-hued Dig That! (where father and daughter, Kirk and Virginia truly shine on their respective solos) and the reflective ambiance channeled within The Time Being, and then follows those up seamlessly with the drum-led Waltz You Needn’t (Lofsky’s nods to Thelonious Monk’s “Well You Needn’t”) and then the Noir-imbued Silent Voices.

Along next is one of my own personal favorites from this new album, the lounge-esque musings within Highway 9 which is itself backed seamlessly by with the swirling ambiance expertly woven within Shadows (Kirk MacDonald), the quietly flirtacious melodies within Terre de DuSable (Gardner’s near 10 minute homage to his Chicago roots), the recording closing out on the adamantly-sculptured One Thing Led to Another.

Simply put, MacDonald, Gardner and Lofsky are icons of Canadian jazz. Kirk MacDonald, a 2x Juno Award winner and recipient of the Toronto Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the most well-established Canadian musicians of his generation.

Having appeared on over 50 albums as either leader or sideman, and with over 100 compositions to his credit, MacDonald’s influence and reach cannot be overstated. Chicago-native Derrick Gardner has performed with a who’s-who of jazz greats as well as some of the most revered large ensembles in jazz including the Count Basie Orchestra, Frank Foster’s Loud Minority Band, Harry Connick Jr.’s Big Band and more.

An Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba for over a decade, Gardner has garnered international attention for his two most recent works, Still I Rise (2019), with the Big dig! Band, and Pan Africa (2023), with the Jazz Prophets. Lorne Lofsky is a master guitarist known for his pianistic voicings and virtuosic skill.

For 40+ years, the Toronto native has left an indelible mark through his definitive solo work, fruitful collaborations with fellow guitarist Ed Bickert, and earlier as a member of the Oscar Peterson Quartet. With so much history between them, it is no exaggeration to say that the members of the Canadian Jazz Collective are the torch bearers of this storied tradition.

Septology – The Black Forest Session will be available digitally, and on compact disc on April 21st, and as a collector-edition vinyl LP by mid April. The digital and compact disc versions include two bonus tracks, Lofsky’s Highway 9 and Gardner’s “One Thing Led to Another”.

The ensemble will tour in Canada in April and Europe in May, followed by a New York debut at Birdland Jazz Club in July.

Musicians:
Derrick Gardner — trumpet & flugelhorn
Lorne Lofsky — guitar
Kirk MacDonald — tenor saxophone
Virginia MacDonald — clarinet
Brian Dickinson — piano
Neil Swainson — bass
Bernd Reiter — drums

Official Website

Canadian Jazz Collective @ YouTube