Sole City by Christopher Brown

PJCE Records, Portland's most active jazz record label, is proud to announce the upcoming release of Sole City, the debut album from drummer and bandleader Christopher Brown. The album showcases Brown's dynamic quartet, featuring some of the Pacific Northwest's most accomplished jazz artists: John Nastos on alto sax, Greg Goebel on piano, and Garrett Baxter on bass.

Christopher Brown, a Portland native, is a highly sought-after drummer and bandleader whose work reflects a deep personal and musical journey. With Sole City, he offers listeners an intimate look into his creative world. Brown describes the album as a "territory etched in the soles of well-worn shoes," a metaphorical landscape shaped by experiences that stretch from his hometown of Portland to the vibrant jazz scenes of New York City and beyond.

The album's liner notes, penned by Brown, invite listeners to join him on this journey, emphasizing that Sole City is not just a collection of songs but a "journey fueled by curiosity and the pursuit of creative authenticity." He highlights the power of collaboration among the band members, noting that the wisdom each musician brings to the recording is reflective of their own diverse experiences. This results in a record where "each note truly becomes a testament to the value of connection, the resilience of the human spirit, and the simple joy of living a life that resonates with the soul."

Sole City features a collection of eight original compositions by Brown, along with a clever new arrangement of the standard "Body & Soul." The featured track, "3 Up 2 Down," is described as "Complex, Driving, Powerful, Multi-Faceted, Medium Up Swing," embodying the album's sophisticated and energetic spirit.

PJCE Records is a grassroots recording label documenting the wide variety of original music being created by Portland area jazz composers and improvisers. We aim to provide an outlet to encourage the dissemination of new music in the area as well as fostering community within the jazz and improvised music scene in Portland. We release one album per month digitally and/or in limited CD pressings.

pjce.org