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Strength in Community by James McGowan
From the album
Album Title: Threads of Fate
Label: Self Produced
Released: 2026
Duration: 01:01:34
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About the Album
Threads of Fate is Ottawa pianist and composer James McGowan’s tenth album as leader, and the third featuring
his James McGowan Ensemble , a 14-piece ensemble that
combines horns, strings, and rhythm section. Building
upon the large-scale vision of the JME concept albums
Reaching In (2023) and Reaching Out (2024), Threads of
Fate dives deeper into dramatic storytelling through its
collaboration with KingDom Theatre in a physical theatre
production (premiered at the National Arts Centre in
Ottawa in 2025) that explores a contemporary telling of the
Greek mythological tale of the three Goddesses of Fate.
The distinctive jazz-rock fusion—enhanced by a classical-
style sensibility—drives the music forward with energetic
rhythmic momentum, compelling melodic lyricism, and a
reliance upon meaning-infused thematic interplay. Finally,
original poetry, recited over three of the 18 musical tracks,
helps to clarify the musical narrative presented in the
largely instrumental pieces on this album.
McGowan wanted to create an ensemble that sometimes
sounds like classical string chamber music and other
times orchestral; sometimes suggests a big band and
other times hits with a powerful rhythmic groove, and yet
always stays cinematic or theatrical. As a result the
musical palette is intentionally diverse. Hamza Sharkas
from Sistra writes about the JME: “The mix of classical
and jazz is superb…and again, the diversity here takes
things to a whole new level.” Threads of Fate continues
the journey.
Threads of Fate was released on Friday, May 22nd
2026.
Tracks
Threads of Fate; On Your Own; Lost in the Labyrinth; Goddesses of Fate; Battle for the Thread of Life; Alone in the Dark; Second Chance; Temptation; Illusion of Love; Obedience or Freedom; Acceptance of Fate; People Pleaser; Protagonist Tango; Fight Amongst Ourselves; Marionettes; Soliloquy; The Minotaur - Revolution; Strength in Community
Personnel
James McGowan
piano
James McGowan Ensemble
composer / conductorRichard Page
saxophoneMark Ferguson
tromboneEd Lister
trumpetMike Tremblay
saxophone, tenorRebekah Waddell
trumpetCendrine Despax
violinJean Despax
violinMaxime Despax
violaValérie Despax
celloCal McGowan
celloJP Lapensee
bass, electricJamie Holmes
drumsAdditional Personnel
Aleks Demkina: Poet/spoken word; Kateryna Karpova: Poet/spoken word; Alisa Rogul: Poet/spoken word; Lesana Yatsenko: Poet/spoken word
Date featured
July 26, 2026
This song appears by permission of the contributing artist and/or record company. It is for personal use only; no other rights are granted or implied.
