MP3 Earth Jazz Agents - Rhythms of the Sea

They bring together todays best contemporary jazz musicians. Music inspired by the art of world renowned environmental artist, Wyland. Some of the music and lyrics written by Wyland himself.

13 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Contemporary Jazz, JAZZ: Jazz Vocals

Show all album songs: Rhythms of the Sea Songs


Details:
Renowned marine life artist Wyland has assembled the brightest jazz talents in New York City to create, "Rhythms of the Sea," a new collection of "eco-conscious" music set to the artist's lyrics.

The 13-song CD album was recorded in New York City with saxophonist Vincent Herring, Saturday Night Live trombonist Steve Turre, pianist Anthony Wonsey and vocalist Paulette McWilliams performing as the Earth Jazz Agents.

"With this debut music project, Wyland's goal is clear as the turquoise water of a South Pacific island," says Laurence Donohue-Greene, managing editor of AllAboutJazz-New York. "We can only hope that future collaborations between marine life and earthbound musicians continue along these paths."

"Rhythms of the Sea" was arranged and produced by Herring, who called upon other collaborators, including as trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, pianist/keyboardist Nat Adderley, Jr., cellist Akua Dixon, and two-time Grammy Award winning engineer Marc Urselli. Noted for his fine Cannonball Adderley-inspired alto work, Herring also performs on soprano sax and flute.

From "Flow", "Sacred Seas", and "Ocean Paradise" to "Turtle Time", "Rhythms of the Sea", "Ocean of Light" and "Endangered Species", vocalist Paulette McWilliams connects Wylandâs environmentally-conscious thoughts and words into song. Wyland himself composed lyrics for six of the seven songs that McWilliams sings and even makes a brief cameo on "Endangered Species" by adding spoken word over the backing vocals of Andromeda Turreâs repeated refrain of "Protect our Planet."

Turre bridges the worlds further with his musical mastery of the conch shell. His composition "Flying Fish" is a celebratory number, from Herringâs high-spirited alto lines leading to trumpeter Jeremy Peltâs Hugh Masakela-influenced smears, blasts and bent notes, trombonist Turre and Wonseyâs soulful upbeat piano. "Whale Song" pairs composer Turreâs overdubbed conches and Dixonâs arco-played cello with the as-credited "backing vocals" of a recording by the humpback whales of the Silver Bank.