REVIVED EMOTIONS

NOTES ON THE ALBUM:

Revived Emotions is a collection of modern jazz compositions, each telling a story inspired by emotions that everyone can relate to.

Growing up, I was fortunate to have a childhood filled with special memories created with my family. Over the years, I’ve often reconnected with past experiences, finding inspiration in them. Moving frequently—both as a child and later in life—meant constantly adapting to new situations, forming new friendships, and embracing experiences that shaped both my identity and my music. Revived Emotions seeks to capture these emotions musically, exploring themes of love, nostalgia, decision-making, and more.

The last three years in Texas, and my time studying jazz at UNT, have played a pivotal role in shaping my artistic vision.

I’m grateful to my teacher, Dave Meder, for his guidance and for giving me the freedom to develop my creative and compositional voice while still in school.

Revived Emotions represents my debut album as a bandleader, exploring emotions and connections through piano-led arrangements. The rhythm section features Adam Abrams on bass and Joshua Ferrell on drums, with guitarist Andrew Getman joining on two of the compositions. This collaboration includes musicians I met during my time at UNT, and I deeply appreciate their contributions in bringing my compositions to life.

The album was recorded and mixed by Kent Stump at Crystal Clear Studios, and mastered by Kevin Blackler in New York, delivering a sound that truly matches the music’s quality and intent.

It is my creative mission to present my thoughts and feelings in the most compelling way possible. I understand this is subjective, but I know I will be happy to connect with those with whom my art resonates.

NOTES ON THE MUSIC:

The album opens with Reflections Of Yesterday, a track that explores how our choices shape who we become. The melody drifts across various key centers, artfully anticipating the next chord change, while a steady quarter note pulse maintains the composition’s structural consistency.

Sunsets, the second track on the album, reflects on the evolving nature of friendships and the theme of nostalgia. While some friendships change over time due to circumstances beyond our control, the memories remain eternal—just like the beauty of a sunset. The harmony plays an important role in this composition, and I believe it captures both the melancholy and hopefulness that the theme demands.

The third track, My Home, is one of the few pieces where the melody came first, followed by the harmony, which was carefully voice-led from one chord change to the next. It highlights the impact of family and arouses curiosity in the meaning of home. The improvisation incorporates the colour of the Hamsadhvani raag, a major pentatonic mode that uses the major-seventh instead of the major-sixth.

Stop Chasing, the fourth track, was originally inspired by the poem Leisure by W.H. Davies and serves as a response to it. The piece uses a Baião groove as its foundation. It encourages listeners to avoid becoming overly consumed by chasing goals, and instead appreciate the present moment.

The fifth track, A Spark, was born from a heartfelt connection. It captures the warmth and excitement from shared moments. The groove, rooted in Latin rhythms with anticipated beats, serves as an anchor, featuring solos from each member in the band, aligning with the theme of sharing moments.

The album closes with Revival, the only solo piano piece on the record. It begins by using the ending of A Spark as its introduction before evolving into something entirely new. The main theme is harmonized with chords from different key centers, creating an intriguing listening experience. Conceptually, Revival represents the essence of a new beginning, making it a fitting conclusion to Revived Emotions.