Lucian Ban & Elevation - "songs From Afar" Cd Release at Cornelia Street Cafe

Sunnyside Records released Lucian Ban’s second album with ELEVATION earlier this year to rave reviews and acclaim: Downbeat Magazine gave “Songs from Afar” it’s rare 5* star review and talks about the album’s “alluring timelessness and strong life-force that seem to flow through the music”, ALL ABOUT JAZZ calls it “a triumph of emotional and musical communication” and New York City Jazz Record calls it an “Inspiring and touching journey, that seamlessly blends the traditions of jazz and folk songs”. Like the first Elevation album “Mystery” (Sunnyside 2013) the quartet led by the Transylvanian expat pianist features the great Abraham Burton on ten saxophone and the powerhouse rhythm section of John Hebert on bass and Eric McPherson on drums...

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Sunnyside Records released Lucian Ban’s second album with ELEVATION earlier this year to rave reviews and acclaim: Downbeat Magazine gave “Songs from Afar” it’s rare 5* star review and talks about the album’s “alluring timelessness and strong life-force that seem to flow through the music”, ALL ABOUT JAZZ calls it “a triumph of emotional and musical communication” and New York City Jazz Record calls it an “Inspiring and touching journey, that seamlessly blends the traditions of jazz and folk songs”. Like the first Elevation album “Mystery” (Sunnyside 2013) the quartet led by the Transylvanian expat pianist features the great Abraham Burton on ten saxophone and the powerhouse rhythm section of John Hebert on bass and Eric McPherson on drums. For “Songs from Afar” Lucian Ban has invited long time collaborator and violist extraordinaire Mat Maneri to participate on several numbers along with Transylvanian singer Gavril Tarmure who’s voice soars on the ancient folk songs. Album video trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24L8nIf_1Bg From Sunnyside Records Press Release – Streams of influence from the past and cultural identities sometimes merge with one’s quest for forms of expression. "Songs From Afar is very personal for me because the album is intimately tied to my Romanian cultural heritage and to the jazz influences that help me find out more about where I come from – and where I’m going. It's not only the ancient Transylvanian folk songs that we approach in this recording, it's also how the other pieces and improvisations reflect the constant search for musical meaning," notes Transylvanian expat pianist and composer Lucian Ban talking about his second album with Elevation quartet (and his third album on Sunnyside).

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