Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Jonathan Scales Fourchestra releases their self-titled album today. Although it’s the fourth record for Jonathan Scales, it’s a first for the Fourchestra. It’s a first for the crew in terms of working with Ropeadope Records, as well as working with some big-time musicians, including Victor Wooten, Howard Levy and Casey Driessen (see below.)
Scales told me he’s excited about the new record.
“The new album has eight new original pieces by myself Cody Wright and Phil Bronson. It’s a continuing process to push boundaries with our instruments, and compositionally,” Scales told me in a recent interview.
This record marks the first time that Scales, a composer, says he’s opened up to collaborate with Wright and Bronson on the composition of the songs.
“It definitely worked out for musically for us, 110 percent. For me personally, it was a great experiment to relinquish some duties and see how things work out,” Scales said. “Cody and Phil have been in the band for awhile. They have their own voices and have wanted to say things they wanted to say. They have a good feel for an idea and how it will work for us.”
What, exactly, is the Fourchestra sound? Scales told me he tries not to explain it.
“I want people to listen to it. I like to leave it open,” he said. “It’s a tough thing, because people want to have something they can attach to it. Some people call it jazz fusion. Some just say jazz. Some think reggae just because they hear the steel pan.”
From the official press release:
There is no time to rest for trio Jonathan Scales Fourchestra who have wrapped up a whirlwind spring tour and are diving into summer dates promoting the release of their self-titled album due out today, Tuesday July 9th on Ropeadope Records. Jonathan Scales Fourchestra is the debut album from an up-and-coming group of innovators paying homage to the old-school progressive fusion which inspired steel pan frontman Jonathan Scales in his youth, while at the same time vividly representing Contemporary Jazz arrangements and intricately woven melodies. The result is a cerebral, harmonious effort with Scales contributing irresistibly bright tones of steel pans while accompanied by tight rhythms lent by percussionist/drummer Phil Bronson and ‘picked’ fusion bass contributed by bassist Cody Wright. On Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, the group collaborated with some of music’s heavy hitters including Grammy award winning bassist Victor Wooten and fellow Grammy award-winning harmonica/piano veteran Howard Levy (Béla Fleck and the Flecktones). Fiddle virtuoso Casey Driessen and various members of Michael Bublé Band also make an appearance. The album’s release is supported by select performance dates along the East Coast and will continue into the fall. See below for tour dates. The album is available digitally through iTunes and Amazon and physically throughwww.jonscales.com. For more information on Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, visit: http://www.jonscales.com/
