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Connor Munroe: Then + Now
ByMunroe has performed in Miami's jazz scene for some time now, and is known for his soulful and melodic playing style reminiscent of legendary tenor saxophonists like Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins and Stan Getz, all of whom possessed a sweet tone and buoyant sense of rhythm. This young talent delivers a breathy, lyrical sound perfect for performing time-honored standards in re-imagined new light.
The Woody Herman/Ralph Burns standard "Early Autumn" opens up the music with the string section setting the pace on an old-styled love ballad that shines brightly. The immortal Duke Ellington classic "In a Sentimental Mood," follows with the saxophonist floating the notes as the strings lifts the band and background vocals in delivering one of the memorable moments of the project. The Matt Dennis classic "Angel Eyes" gets a fresh new treatment here featuring the leader on vocalsyes, this saxophonist also sings and this tune was his first time as a vocalist in public. Using the Nelson Riddle arrangement, this version is quite appealing. Hoagy Carmichael's famous "Stardust" was a favorite tune of Munroe's late grandfather and the saxophonist pays tribute to him on a laid-back version of the piece.
On the last standard of the set, Munroe provides an exciting arrangement of Thelonious Monk's oft-recorded "Round Midnight," bringing in the big band sound where the brass and the drumming of Miguel Russel are pronounced. Munroe ends the album on the original "This is Dreaming" where the artist prefers his vocals to his tenor on a very brief sign off to a beautiful session of warm, light jazz.
As debut albums go, Then + Now is a significant recording produced during the nations pandemic and designed by one of the future young lions in the jazz world. Connor Munroe has certainly established a sound foundation on this impressive outing, with college years ahead, we can be certain to hear a lot more from this dynamic talent in the future.
Track Listing
Early Autumn; In A Sentimental Mood; Angel Eyes; Stardust; 'Round Midnight; This is Dreaming.
Personnel
Connor Munroe
saxophone, tenorMiguel Marcel Russell
drumsNolan Nwachukwu
bassMiles Lennox
pianoClaudio Silva
congasBrandon Goldberg
pianoPhilippe Clement
guitarIan Alexander Munoz
saxophone, altoAdam Stein
saxophone, altoJulian Gonzalez
saxophone, tenorDiego Gonzalez
saxophone, baritoneLaura Rodriguez
fluteAnthony Hervey
trumpetSummer Camargo
trumpetStéphane clement
trumpetNicolaus Gelin
trumpetRasham Salaam
tromboneAndre Perlman
tromboneSteven Blake
tromboneNate Petersen
trombone, bassAdditional Instrumentation
Justin Franklin: Tuba; Kenneth Jones Madrid: violin; Shuyi Wang: violin; Vishnu Ramankutty: violin; Esther Chase: cello; Sebastian Rios: Double bass; Violetta Maria Norie: harp; Aniye Starchan: background vocals; Kaiya Nyashia Nadianicole: background vocals.
Album information
Title: Then + Now | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Self Produced
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About Connor Munroe
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
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