Expectation & Experience by Shawn Maxwell

Expectation & Experience

Seventeen compositions written during a global pandemic. Recorded remotely – thirty musicians, individually, most in their own homes. A lot happened during this year, personally, professionally, nationally, globally. This music represents my thoughts on and reactions to these events: 2020 in hindsight.

Shawn Maxwell alto saxophone | soprano saxophone | clarinet

Side A

1. Expectation (1:39) Stephen Lynerd vibraphone
Celebrating the new year with arrangements and aspirations.

2. J.C. Jones (3:11) Marielle de Rocca Serra violin | Michael Barton bass | Phil Beale drums
For a great man and a good friend, James Calvin Jones, who passed away just before the pandemic took hold. The opening melody is exactly how he laughed; the vibe is what I feel when I hear his name.

3. Empty Shelf (3:46) Collin Clauson keyboards | Tim Seisser bass
In protective gear, dodging other human beings; a trip to the store… only to stare at an empty shelf.

4. Quiet House (4:10) Zvonimir Tot guitar & virtual strings arrangement | Marc Piane bass | Lucas Gillan drums
For Evon House Thompson, a friend who died suddenly in March 2020. A ballad in 3/4 time with sections in 4/4; unique, like Evon.

5. The Great Divide (3:35) Alex Beltran tenor saxophone
The elephant in the room… and the donkey; just when you think they might start working together, you realize they are moving further apart.

6. Feeling Remote (3:39) Kalyan Pathak tabla & drum set
The anxiety and disconnectedness felt by teachers and students embarking upon distance learning – reflected in odd time signatures.

7. Breathe (2:17) Brenda Earle Stokes piano
On seeing the footage of George Floyd’s murder. As the rage subsides, what remains is sorrow and frustration.

8. A Change of Climate (1:07) Paul Abella cajon & tambourine
Meanwhile, unprecedented natural disasters abound, climate protections and agreements are withdrawn.

Side B

9. Alternative Facts (4:18) Howard Levy harmonica | Steven Hashimoto bass | Greg Essig drums
My brain wrestling with information and fabrication… in 5/8 and 6/8.

10. Every Day Is Monday (1:42) Mark Nelson programming & keyboards
Our customary markers of time are absent. The concept of days and weeks becomes obscured.

11. No Peace Without Justice (2:48) John Stafford II voice | Keri Johnsrud voice | Craig Elliot guitar
Inspired by Black Lives Matter protests.

12. The Show Can’t Go On (2:20) Ernie Adams drums
A conversation: USA tour scheduled, Europe and Japan being planned… then cancelled one-by-one due to the pandemic.

13. Empty Stage (1:20)
Closed clubs, shuttered theaters, cancelled festivals. Some will return, some will not.

14. Six Hundred (2:39) Chad McCullough trumpet | William Kurk keyboards | Tom Sharpe drums
1% profiteer and hoard while the masses struggle to buy food and pay rent. I see you’ve been eviscerated; here’s a bandage.

15. Lockdown (3:00) Gina DeGregorio marimba
The enjoyment and the uncertainty – the relaxation and the restlessness - of sheltering at home.

16. The New Abnormal (3:15) Matt Nelson keyboards | Jeremiah Hunt bass | Greg Artry drums
Beginning to fathom the new (ab)normal. Concerts without audience, sports without crowds, meeting at a distance – wearing masks – without hugs or handshakes.

17. Experience (1:25) Stacy McMichael bass
An unexpected and consequential year; lessons we must embrace to improve our world.

As a composer, recording artist and performer, saxophonist Shawn Maxwell has endeavored to express his own unique voice. From his latest album Millstream (Jazzline, 2020) to his debut Originals (self-released, 2005), he has released nine albums of original compositions. .

shawnmaxwell.com
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