Jazz Bonus: Kansas Smitty’s

African rhythms, modern jazz and cinematographic atmospheres shape this new album entitled “We’re Not In Kansas Anymore”.

As its title suggests, “We’re Not In Kansas Anymore” is the start of a new era for Kansas Smitty’s. For this 2nd album on the !K7 label, the group emancipates itself from the swing aesthetic, to draw its inspiration from modern jazz, African rhythms and cult cinema. Kansas Smitty’s remains the main outlet for its leader, the alto saxophonist and clarinetist Giacomo Smith. The limitless creativity of the musician and producer of Italian-American origin, who has been living across the Channel for more than ten years, continues to increase his reputation. The proof is that he has, among other things, recently produced the latest album by Jamie Cullum and that of the rising British star of drums Jas Kayser.

Giacomo Smith and his partners maintain a delicate relationship with tradition; this deep enthusiasm for jazz and blues of the last century has always been the driving force behind their work. And it still is, but in a more subtle way than before. Atmosphere trumps structure here, with a compositional shift that builds on the themes of their 2020 album “Things Happened Here” while digging deeper into progressive, effervescent sounds to create a bluesy genre. of the 21st century.

” I want the listener to feel a wide variety of emotions – I want them to visualize things says Giacomo Smith. ” There is joy and humor, but also spirituality. There’s seriousness, there’s a sense of emptiness and expectation – and it’s all intentional. We experienced all of these feelings as a collective, and I experienced them as an individual.. »

This new album also marks the 10th anniversary of Kansas Smitty’s existence, a decade during which we could feel the creativity of the group through many mediums. One example is their late own club of the same name based in east London, or KSTV, their series of live streams produced and broadcast during the pandemic which won them the award for digital innovation at the Jazz FM Awards. .

Over the years, many excellent musicians have joined Giacomo Smith. After Jay Kaser’s participation on Plunderphonia in 2021, this new opus features two eminent trumpeters Dylan Jones (former member of Ezra collective) and Laura Jurd (Dinosaur).

Since the release of “Things Happened Here”, Giacomo Smith’s lucky star has continued to shine, notably establishing him as a top producer of what he calls “old school productions”. While Kansas Smitty’s collaborated with Jamie Cullum on “The Pianoman at Christmas” album, Giacomo Smith found himself producing more than half of “We’re Not In Kansas Anymore” is producing so far. of Kansas Smitty’s and Giacomo Smith’s most forward-looking. The production is clear and warm, allowing winks to the blues. Face In The Crowd is a good example of this, incorporating cinematic vibes in more ways than one, as the track is loosely based on the 1957 film of the same name in which a populist TV star realizes he can manipulate an entire nation. Smith also draws on the deep blues of musicians like Sonny Terry and Sonny Boy Williamson to give the sound of a bygone era in 2022.

“We’re Not In Kansas Anymore” isn’t just a new chapter in Giacomo Smith’s life and career. It celebrates 10 years of a group that continues to stand out in a decisive era for jazz whose contours are constantly being redrawn.
(excerpt from the press release in English – translation E. Lacaze / A. Dutilh)

Giacomo Smith (alto saxophone, bass clarinet)
Alec Harper (piano)
Dave Archer (guitar)
Freg Ireland (double bass)
Joe Webb (drums)