User:Jeremy McCall
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Jeremy McCall Composer: Contemporary Mainstream/Sacred Music Primary Instrument: Guitar Primary Group: Spirit Jazz Project Primary Style: Postmodern Fusion
POSTMODERN FUSION: "After Modern Era Jazz Rock Hybrid". Musical style that has elements of jazz and rock as its basis, but takes a different approach by seeking a higher level of connectivity with the listener. Postmodern in that it is one possible next step on the path created by modern greats. Actually, and perhaps more precisely, "postmodern" because it takes a look at the best things about the fusion genre, and combines these with what seems most important about music in the first place. This new genre (subgenre) is achieved by avoiding pretentiousness sometimes associated with jazz, and getting to the core concepts that listeners care about: HONEST PURPOSED, HIGH QUALITY MELODY, WITH A GOOD GROOVE!! It's "Blue Collar Bebop". Read on.
The Spirit Jazz Project walks a dangerous musical tightrope without falling off. Lean one way, and a precipice is waiting for bands specializing in fusion. Go the other and join straight-ahead bands with fewer fans. But Spirit manages to stay aloft by presenting music with a contemporary sound and solid performance.
-Bob Karlovits, Jazz Writer Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Biography One description of Spirit Jazz Project's music is “BLUE COLLAR JAZZ”. Another is “Bebop with a blue collar”. It's true, and here's why. Take the most important element of any music; the ability to touch something in the listener. Genres like soul, country, and blues push this to the forefront,by appealing to elemental human nature. It could be anything that sparks a connection (like a great lyric, a catchy melody, a persistent riff, or a searing guitar solo). But it brings awareness, and sometimes chills. Now twist this “connectivity” factor with chords, bass lines, and beats that are rich in texture and thought. When these things are present in the right combination, people can connect to the music in a beautiful, “hands on”, “gut level”, emotional way. You might call it a “blue collar” connection. That kind of connection is what Spirit Jazz is all about.
Welcome! Welcome to our family! Thank you for visiting The Spirit Jazz Project. This musical endeavor is made to touch something in the soul. While you are here, enjoy a sample of our music!
It must be in the water. Members of the Spirit Jazz Project live and work in southwestern Pennsylvania. One thing a person learns about living here in “Steeler Country” is that people work hard! This trait carries over into how we develop friendships and what we believe. We are people with genuine HEART and SOUL! People who have been strengthened by hardship. To be sure, there are others in the world that share these same qualities. However, we should speak about what we know, and for the sake of this discussion we might look at this local community as a small slice of the rest of the world. At any rate the music of SJP is made of this same “heart and soul” material. It must be in the water.
The Spirit Jazz Project begins as a vision. That vision: To create music that is about life. Music should communicate deeply with the most important part of people. The group's latest album, “Square Peg”, is made to tell (and/or begin) a story in the mind of the listener. The thought is to offer up a song title and a melody, and let the imagination fill in the rest.
Consider the name “Spirit Jazz Project”. It was conceived in several trains of thought. The first, “Spirit”, was to draw attention to the fact that the music is created from God given talent. This is humbly said, and in the most imperfect way. However, it is only proper to credit The Source. Secondly, the music has its foundations in jazz. The chord structures and harmonies are culled from a jazz frame of mind. This core is then steeped in blues, rock, Motown, funk, and country. The process of straining the foundational jazz vibe through these other sources is twofold: 1.) It opens the door for people that might not enjoy a more traditional jazz format, and 2.) It allows a nice “groove”. The “Project” in SJP is important, because this is a laboratory of sound. The group tries to translate what comes from the heart into music that is heard and felt. It is not meant to be absolutely perfect, which leads to the next point.
Ultimately speaking, the Spirit Jazz Project is an opinion. One which you the listener will decide. Realize that it was done with the best intentions and a high degree of faithfulness. Hopefully you will find it as rewarding as the musicians who created it. We feel that everyone that listens somehow becomes a member of the family. Each of you bring a valid musical impression to our table. So, bring your life experiences and apply them to what you hear. Enjoy!
