Joel 7 Harrison - Search - Joel 7 Harrison on CD

Description

Challenges are met in many different circumstances throughout life. There are challenges that we choose and those that we must face. Guitarist/composer Joel Harrison examines both on his new CD Search. On this project, Harrison chose to broaden his compositional scope to include a more classical influence, most notably by scoring strings into his arrangements. The all-star ensemble performs a moving program of original compositions along with a couple of remarkable arrangements of Olivier Messaien and The Allman Brothers Band. "This project began with my desire to bring influences from classical music into my jazz writing in a more overt way. I wanted to challenge myself compositionally and try to use extended forms and some new techniques (for me) without sacrificing spontaneity, a tricky balance. As in my cd The Wheel there is a certain focus on strings. If nothing else the inspiration from classical composers helps me avoid habitual behavior. In the end, though, once the writing starts, the music demands its own design and any issues of style or tradition fall away."