Carleton music professor Jesse Stewart drummed up a Juno nomination Feb. 8 for instrumental album of the year with his band, Stretch Orchestra.
Stewart’s percussion makes up one third of Stretch Orchestra along with Kevin Breit on guitar and Matt Brubeck on cello.
“There’s nothing else quite like it,” Stewart said of Stretch Orchestra.
Stewart said he’s happy the album was nominated for best instrumental album because it’s difficult peg the band to a specific genre, even if it’s technically labeled as “contemporary jazz.”
For example, “My Friend Harry” weaves in Indian Raga chords inspired song and was recorded on the first take, which Stewart said gave it an improvised “freshness.”
In contrast, “Lily” is a bluegrass tune dedicated to Breit’s grandmother. Stewart said the entire album is genre-bending, with “a bluesy thing, a jazzy thing and then a bluegrass tune towards the end of the album.”
Stewart brings a range of experiences, that contribute to the “sonic palette” of the band, Brubeck said in an email.
“[Stewart] brings tremendous energy and dedication to this ensemble. Additionally, [his] playing has great timbral and dynamic variation,” he said.
He added that Stewart’s wide collection of percussive instruments, ranging from traditional water bowls to more experimental waterphones, further diversifies the band’s sound.
Each of the members add to Stretch Orchestra’s musical mix.
“Although I am classically-trained, I am drawn to working with and writing for adventurous, improvising musicians,” Brubeck said.
The eclectic sound is a result of all kinds of different backgrounds from the members, Stewart said.
The self-titled album is a medley of unique instrumentals and each of the members’ backgrounds, which range from pop to jazz.
“Everything we do as musicians informs everything else we do as musicians,” Stewart said. “When we enter into any kind of musical situation, all of our past experiences with music . . . inform how we will respond in the given moment.”
The Juno nomination is a first for Stewart, but it’s not for his bandmates. Breit won a Juno with his band Sisters Euclid in 2007, and has been nominated for four others, while Brubeck was nominated for his 2008 release twotet/deuxtet.
Stretch Orchestra is one of five nominees for instrumental album of the year. The others are Cats and Dogs by Andrew Collins, New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges by Colin Stetson, L’Âge du cuivre by L’Orkestre des Pas Perdus, and Télescope by MAZ.
The winner will be announced at the 2012 Juno Awards April 1 at Scotiabank Place.
