HGBS Blue Records (Germany) is proud to announce the March 31, 2023, release of Septology – The Black Forest Session by the newly formed Canadian Jazz Collective (CJC) Septet. The launch of the CJC’s debut album will be supported by a tour of live performances in Ontario, Montreal (April), Birdland (NYC) (July) and other U.S. venues, as well as major European cities during May 2023. The National Arts Centre in Ottawa welcomes the CJC for a celebration of the album’s launch on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 8 pm EDT.

Fronted by three of Canada’s most acclaimed and accomplished jazz treasures: saxophonist Kirk MacDonald, guitarist Lorne Lofsky and trumpeter Derrick Gardner, the CJC is augmented by clarinetist Virginia MacDonald and supported by a noted rhythm section comprised of pianist Brian Dickinson, bassist Neil Swainson and drummer Bernd Reiter.  This innovative intergenerational septet takes a collaborative approach to the presentation of original Canadian jazz and blends the unique artistic visions of the leaders into one powerful, creative, and cohesive voice.

Septology was recorded at: the iconic MPS Studio (Most Perfect Sound) in Villingen, Germany in the Black Forest.  MPS Studio holds a place of high distinction in Canadian jazz canon, as one of Oscar Peterson’s favorite places to record. Many of Peterson’s most notable recordings of the 1960’s were recorded there. “The tour was wonderful. The reception we had was great everywhere. And the live-to-tape recording at MPS Studio was a real throwback to the way high-quality sound albums used to be made,” MacDonald shares. And Lofsky, a former member of Peterson’s Quartet in the 1990’s, admits to a strong sense of “delayed synchronicity” in recording there himself, despite it being decades later.

The Canadian Jazz Collective strives to uphold Canada’s rich tradition of jazz. By displaying their virtuosic, world-class artistry through their original work, and with so much history between them, it is no exaggeration to suggest that the members of the Canadian Jazz Collective are the torch bearers of this storied tradition. "I've been playing with several members of the CJC for over 40 years. The kind of trust and rapport that has developed over this time has certainly contributed to a deeper connection within the group and the repertoire," shares Lofsky. Anchored by these long-standing ties, as well as their respective musical histories, with Septology, the Canadian Jazz Collective ushers in a new era of Canadian jazz excellence.

Septology - The Black Forest Session will be available digitally on Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Music, as well as on compact disc through Bandcamp on March 31, and as a Collector Edition Vinyl LP by mid-April. The digital and compact disc versions include two bonus tracks, Lofsky’s “Highway 9” and Gardner’s “One Thing Led to Another”.

Canadian Tour Dates 2023:
March 30    Concert Hall at Victoria Hall, Cobourg ON
April 1        Church of the Ascension, Port Perry ON – All Star Quintet
April 2        The Jazz Room, Waterloo ON
April 3        The Hare Winery, Niagara on the Lake ON         
April 6        National Arts Centre Studio, Ottawa ON
April 7        Diese Onze, Montreal QC
April 8        The Jazz Bistro,  Toronto ON

For Further Information:
Judith Humenick Productions
[email protected]
613-859-8438

The Canadian Jazz Collective
Website: https://canadianjazzcollective.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canadianjazzcollective/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canadianjazzcollective/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CanadianJazz

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.