[New York, NY] – In his arresting second release, High Firmament / Ferment Below, saxophonist Jacob Shulman skillfully constructs a work that intricately delves into the historical motivations behind the recording of jazz, while exploring its connection to the art form’s purest essence—the nuanced ritual of a live performance. The result is two distinct artistic statements that simultaneously invite and challenge the listener.

With distinct differences yet unified in a singular expression, the music within High Firmament / Ferment Below is divided into two albums with a precise purpose. Bandleader Jacob Shulman explains, “I want the listener to begin their listening experience with a *choice.*  Even though there’s no consequence, just having to pick either invests you into your own decision.  You’ll listen just a little bit closer”.

High Firmament endeavors to capture what Shulman describes as the “morning mindset” – a state where the impetus for creative expression is at its peak. From the liner notes: “A sculpture passes through many forms between ‘raw block of marble’ and ‘figurative final product.’  But rather than show off a perfectly-carved idealized performance, we choose to present a psychological music-object that reveals some of what goes into composition, improvisation, and interplay”. 

Diverging from its companion release, Ferment Below evokes the ambiance of jazz in its natural setting—the dimly lit and smoky nightclub, where the music unfolds on the outskirts of society’s routine affairs. Asserting that the recording studio is not the natural habitat for this music, the bandleader emphasizes, “We intend to transcend the studio by synthesizing a reflection of jazz psychology: a cocktail of imagination, prediction, sensitivity, and abandon.  You can never hear the same music twice, and we wouldn’t have it any other way”

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LABEL: Endectomorph Music

ALBUM: High Firmament / Ferment Below

RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2024

ARTIST LINKS:
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