There is something intensely alluring, almost addictive, about Kansas City-based artist Jackie Myers. Known for her innovation and fluidity on the keys and her sultry, bluesy vocals that could spark warmth in even the iciest of souls, she has a way of leaving all your flabbers ghasted and with a voracious appetite for more. Now, 577 Records is ecstatic to present her latest work of art, What About the Butterfly, a technical masterpiece born from the depths of this vocalist/pianist/composer’s beautiful soul and enviable mind.
Every sound and beat in these arrangements projects Jackie’s meticulous approach to composition, technique, and innovation. Her use of spectral composition and microtonality pays homage to the French spectral composition movement’s Gérard Grisey and Tristan Murial, who she says has shown us “how to embrace the perspective that the physics of sound should inform the compositional process”.
“If we look at the overtone series, there are tones that exist outside of the traditional 12 note chromatic scale we are generally used to as jazz musicians,” Myers explains. “It’s my belief that use of these in-between notes, or 'microtones' in vocal jazz could enhance the pre-existing diatonic harmony the songs are conceived with. In return, I believe that the improvisational aspect of jazz music provides an expanded context for microtonality from a spectral composition standpoint. This album uses a 24tet scale in many of the arrangements while still allowing for the improvisers to solo using a 12tet scale. The challenge was trying to find ways to use the microtonal arrangements to support the diatonic chord progressions and melodies rather than juxtapose the two scales against each other.”
Although she had envisioned most of the work for this record between 2022 and 2023, Myers took her time to procure the right band members and refine the arrangements. In What About the Butterfly, she is joined by three members of Fountain City String Quartet, including their lead, Alyssa Bell (on viola), Matthew Bennett on the violin, and cellist Sascha Groschang. She specifically chose quarter sharps and three-quarter flats for the string players, pushing them beyond their norms in a way that required many rehearsals supported by carefully prepared tools and materials. To satisfy her need for an experienced horn section, she turned to her mentor, former member of the Jazz Messengers, Bobby Watson, who was thrilled to be a part of the project. Myers also extended a special invite to Alaturka tenor saxist Rich Wheeler, thanks to his notable experience in blending jazz and classical music and his knack for microtonal composition. Longtime friends and collaborators, trumpeter Trent Austin and baritone saxist Aryana Nemati, were the perfect fit, contributing much from their multi-genre backgrounds. Keeping time is Project H’s Matt Leifer, while Kansas City’s Seth Lee and Iowa City’s Blake Shaw bring their bass magic to several of the tracks in the new release – all of whom have performed with Jackie many times.
Don’t miss What About the Butterfly! 577 Records will drop the album April 18th with 300 first-edition LPs and 500 first-edition CDs. Of course, you can also enjoy it via digital download.
