NICK MACLEAN QUARTET - RITES OF ASCENSION ========================================== :: NICK MACLEAN - piano :: BROWNMAN ALI - trumpet :: JESSE DIETSCHI - acoustic bass :: TYLER GOERTZEN - drums feat. speaking samples by Herbie Hancock (tracks 1, 6, 10, 11), Neil deGrasse Tyson (track 8) & Christopher Hitchens (track 9) This contemplative and often thrilling quartet's explorations of modern, original repertoire is led by a fast-rising star in Toronto's jazz piano community -- 26 year old NICK MACLEAN. Formed in 2016, Maclean's foursome delivers jazz between the two poles of thoughtful introspection and powerhouse conveyance, taking influences from Herbie Hancock's primordial 1960's Blue Note era recordings featuring Freddie Hubbard, while simultaneously paying apt tribute to some of the greatest improvisers in jazz history. The quartet's debut 11-track full-length album "Rites Of Ascension" features 6 Maclean-penned originals, 1 composition by Brownman and 4 re-imagined Herbie Hancock classics. The group is frequently lauded for the strength of their collective improvisatory vision and highlights Maclean’s ruminative piano prowess and hand-picked sidemen. Brooklyn / Toronto based Brownman Ali, one of Canada's most provocative improvising trumpet-playing iconoclasts, stands shoulder to shoulder with Maclean himself & two of Toronto's top-tier rhythm section 20- somethings: Jesse Dietschi on bass and Tyler Goertzen on drums. This recording exemplifies the 4 of them in full flight. "Rites of Ascension is everything a true "tribute" should be - homage to the inspiration and influence the towering figure of Herbie Hancock has provided to this young pianist, expressed through a voice that is very much one's own. -- Dave Restivo, Canadian jazz piano legend “Rites Of Spring” was produced by Brownman Ali and released on his label Browntasauras Records. The label is now widely regarded as a vanguard for new and visionary talent in the evolution of Jazz in Canada. recorded by Jeremy Darby and Julian Decorte at Canterbury Studios mixed by Josh Bowman at Bowman Sound mastered by Nick Blagona at Psychotropic Studios cover art by Dean Shu liner notes by Dave Restivo