Band: James McGowan Ensemble; Musicians: McGowan: Piano, compositions and poetry; Alex Moxon, Electric guitar; JP (Jean-Philippe) Lapensée: Electric (six-string) bass; Jamie Holmes: Drums; Cendrine Despax: Violin; Jean Despax: Violin; Maxime Despax: Viola; Olivier Philippe-Auguste: Viola; Valérie Despax: Cello; Cal McGowan: Cello; Mike Tremblay: Tenor and soprano saxophones; Petr Cancura: Tenor saxophone; Ed Lister: Trumpet; Mark Ferguson: Trombone and Jamaal Amir Akbari: Spoken word

Album: Reaching Out; Release: May 24, 2024; Producer: Gowan; Recording and pre-mixing: Steve Foley; and Rob Cosh: Mixing and mastering

The most ambitious and sentimental albums merge complementary words and instrumentation into a divine exploration of emotion. ‘Reaching Out,’ the latest record from the Ottawa-based group the James McGowan Ensemble, explores self-contemplation, connections with loved ones and the spiritual nature of sound. The collective achieves that goal through the interweaving of spoken word poetry with jazz and classical-fueled instrumentation.

McGowan, a talented pianist-composer, led the 13-member ensemble with compassion as they crafted an intimate sonic landscape. ‘Reaching Out’ chronicles his story through words and instrumentation that encourage the natural process of moving past grief to find strength in community, even when people feel anchored in their sorrow.

The group‘s latest collection of soul-searching compositions supports and follows their 2023 album, ‘Reaching In’ as a proper companion piece. The new record features 17 nuanced entries that continues delving into the experiences that are featured on its predecessor, including overcoming low self-esteem, anxiety and loss in order to find peace and acceptance. Those compositions are brought to life by the ensemble’s three prolific quartets, which include Modasaurus (of which McGowan is also a part), Quatuor Despax and Four Of Horns.

The album’s classic compositional structures and phrasing help evoke the ensemble’s signature sense of contemplation on each song. However, ‘Reaching Out’ is also driven by lively improvisations between the musicians.

McGowan’s mastery of the piano is the anchor throughout the 17 tracks on the record, as it offers both melody and harmonic depth. His sense of ease on the instrument allows him to effortlessly transition between tender moments and dynamic bursts of energy.

The collective’s latest output begins with the entry ‘Personal Credo,’ which immediately sets the tone for the entire project. The tune is driven by gentle string passages that are the epitome of the album’s introspective journey. As a result, the song balances rich harmonies with melodies that emphasize McGowan’s emotional spectrum on the lush piano.

A trio of tracks on the group’s latest record extend the ‘Imagine’ series from ‘Reaching In,’ which feature spoken word contributions from poet Laureate Amir Akbari. The three new movements add depth and authenticity to the series.  

‘Imagine (Part 4),’ which serves as ‘Reaching Out’s sophomore track, is the highlight in the trio of songs. It combines Akbari’s spoken narrative about the struggle of people feeling trapped in their thoughts. In order to move past that internal turmoil and find their worth, they seek comfort and connection with people who truly care about them. The narrator also ponders the mind’s journey as it seeks understanding in such difficult situations.

‘Reaching Out’s titular track, which immediately follows ‘Imagine (Part 4),’ is the perfect culmination of the album’s overall themes and concept. The tune builds slowly, with McGowan introducing a delicate melody on the piano that gradually builds as the ensemble joins in.

The song continues to thrive with its various other styles, including spirited bass momentum that meanders around the piano. The two instruments are accompanied by lively strings, passionate horns and energetic drum beats as it explores the varied phases of healing.

The ‘Reaching Out’ record continues its rich melody and profound emotion as it begins to wind down with another one of its noteworthy entries, ‘Reflection.’ The penultimate track is a poignant exploration into the journey of self-discovery and learning how to love and trust others again, which is set against soulful strings and piano chords.

Like its immediate predecessor, the ensemble’s latest album is a compelling and relatable examination into personal growth and connection. ‘Reaching Out’ merges jazz and classical influences to delve into a spiritual exploration of sound. As a talented and experienced pianist and composer, McGowan leads the ensemble with poise and understanding. In the process, he shared his personal story through words that encourage everyone to move past their grief to find strength in their community.

For more information on James McGowan Ensemble, visit their official website, as well as their Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Bandcamp and YouTube pages.