An End to Oblivion

This is my first studio recording released in June 2010. It features 10 original compositions that are very through-composed works. The musicians, including myself, on this recording are as follows:

Simon Lott, drums; Gordon Au, trumpet; Johnaye Kendrick, vocals; James Westfall, vibraphone; Austin Johnson, piano (7 tracks); Brian Coogan, piano (2 tracks); Peter Harris, bass

In this recording, my attempt was to take a life-affirming stance that is informed by the trails of reaching that stance. I'd like to present the question to the listener: "can we declare an End to Oblivion, that darkness that permeates the philosophy, aspirations, and spirit of our times?" It is my hope that at the end of the death stare into the reality of the challenges of our time, we will come out with a philosophy of hope and insight through the reclaiming of joy and dignity, as well as the insights and heritages of the great truth-seekers of the past.

It was also an experiment in liberating dissonances while retaining the central movement and sensitivity of tonal constructs. Melody is essentially the guiding principal throughout. There are themes that run across the record, giving the record the feel of a 'suite'.