MP3 Protean Visions - Watercolor Bridges

An accomplished young jazz quartet with a sound that fuses East Coast edginess and down home soul; a mix of Woody Shaw and ?uestlove.

9 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Post-Bop, JAZZ: Soul-Jazz

Details:
Protean Visions, a jazz quartet based in Fresno, CA, is led by bassist Kevin McDonald, and comprised of Josh McDonald (trumpet, cornet, and FX), Jonathan Hendrickson (piano & keys), and Tony Montañez (drums). They have been playing together since 2007, and in that time have crafted a highly personal sound that fuses East Coast edginess with down home soul â itâs music at the skookumchuck of Post-Bop and Nu-Jazz. One fan described it as âthe sound of the Woody Shaw Quartet with ?uestlove!â

Named for Proteus, the shape-shifting prophet from Greek mythology, Protean Visions is an assemblage of musicians with markedly eclectic musical tastes and experiences. Indeed, Proteus is a fitting figure for the band for they shift into and out of different styles while committing to create honest music that compels listeners to probe themselves for truths and emotions that reside just beneath the surface.

Protean Visions has performed with Christian McBride, Geoffrey Keezer, Marvin Stamm, Bill Mays, and Bob Reynolds (saxophonist for Jon Mayer), whom they backed for his October 2007 California dates. The members of the group have performed with Andre Bush, Scott Engelbright, Mary Fettig, Warren Gale, Gordon Goodwin, Conrad Herwig, Kristin Korb, Andy Martin, Mike McMullin, James Miley, Lanny Morgan, Armen Nalbandian, Lennie Niehaus, Mike Olmos, Dave Pietro, Kim Richmond, Tim Ries, Carl Saunders, Eva Scow, Ed Shaughnessy, Bobby Shew, Jim Snidero, Anthony Wilson, and Gerald Wilson.

Protean Visions is proud to announce the release of their first album, WaterColor Bridges (2008). The album features original compositions from each member of the band and a cover of Sam Riversâ âBeatrice.â

Leader and bassist, Kevin McDonald, wrote three of the albumâs originals. The opening track, âCatch,â is an up-tempo bop number with fierce exchanges between drums, trumpet, and piano. âThe James Nudey Bluesâ is a straight-ahead and dirty blues featuring the group in a quasi-trio setting. The albumâs title track, âWaterColor Bridges,â serves as their most direct âpropheticâ offering. The simple and powerful melody flows into extended solos â a metaphorical nod to the extended release that music offers a listener from the structure of life (the melody).

Trumpeter Josh McDonald contributed two originals, âThe Presence of Your Absence: Music for Jannaâ and âWachanaw (Brotha Got a Gift).â The former tune was written while reflecting on the Sartrean concept of a present-absence, and is a straight-eighth groove with a mournful and somehow optimistic melody. The rhythm section contributes very emotive solos. The latter tune is reminiscent of Miles Davisâ Second Quintet from in the 1960âs, and features a playful melody contrasted with dense harmonies and a burning tempo. âContent Robotâ is drummer Tony Montañezâs contribution. The relaxed melody is strikingly catchy and the modal-esque harmonies spur some of the groupâs best playing. The final cut, Jonathan Hendricksonâs âJazz of All Trades,â juxtaposes McCoy Tyner-ish vamps with mellow, mixed-meter breakdowns. The group displays impressive coordination across the multiple sections and style shifts.

People who are interested in Miles Davis Quintet Woody Shaw should consider this download.