Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Sebastian Bailey: Ensemble de Magnac

1

Sebastian Bailey: Ensemble de Magnac

By

Sign in to view read count
Sebastian Bailey: Ensemble de Magnac
Quebec-based composer-saxophonist Sebastian Bailey is primarily focused on chamber jazz on his latest EP, and his innovative ear guides each track. Ensemble de Magnac summarizes Bailey's creative vision quite well, especially his ability to create a diverse and engaging soundscape.

The music on this release has a classic sound and the production aesthetics are solid, highlighting the natural chemistry between these talented musicians. The record's spotlight on chamber jazz allows the line-up to create a thick sonic fabric which feels smooth and classy, but also lively and spontaneous. The EP kicks off with the stunning "Intuition." The track also features vocalist Sarah Rossy, who brings a special touch to this tune with her talent and verve. The second cut, "Lady Justice," is yet another show of Bailey's smooth sax lines and versatility. The next track on this release sets the bar even higher. The mesmerizing "Psalm 23/Chorale IV" features Bailey's late father V.J.R. Bailey reciting from the Bible not long before his passing. (The album is dedicated to his memory). Last, but definitely not least, the closing song on this effort, "Rocking Chair in 3 Sittings," is perhaps one of the most traditional-leaning tracks, encapsulating the pillars of the chamber jazz genre.

Ultimately, this EP is an inspired achievement, and it is highly recommended to those who appreciate authentic, uncompromising jazz. One of the key factors of this release is definitely its stylistic diversity. This is forward-thinking music with a substantial amount of intensity, and one really can't go wrong in terms of passion and commitment to creating something pure and beautiful. There might be only four songs on this EP, but what makes it special is that it serves as a spellbinding introduction to Bailey's skills on the sax, as well as his ability to understand the value of ensemble work. A band or group is only as good as its weakest link, and this record really shows no signs of weakness, going for a very bright and lush feel.

Track Listing

Intuition (feat. Sarah Rossy); Lady Justice; Psalm 23 / Chorale IV (feat. V.J.R. Bailey); Rocking Chair in 3 Sittings.

Personnel

Sebastian Bailey
saxophone, alto
Al McLean
saxophone, tenor
Benjamin Deschamps
saxophone, alto
Andy King
trumpet
Lex French
trumpet
Olivier Salazar
vibraphone

Album information

Title: Ensemble de Magnac | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.