“New Futures” is a new jazz and electronic infused CD, created and produced by trumpeter/composer Malcolm Aiken. Malcolm and his band have been playing together for three years at Guilt and Company, a musical hub in Gastown, and the songs are a natural fruition of the collaboration.
Malcolm, a modern day musical Indiana Jones is ready with a smile and juicy story from his travels, where music takes him to perform and stay inspired around the world. His parents loved diverse music, and often brought him to see live performances during his childhood. Malcolm began playing Violin at the age of five, but says the trumpet chose him after he heard his first Louis Armstrong record. Malcolm believes that the term “Jazz” and it’s many interpretations can polarize the audience. However, his new instrumental songs has many fresh contemporary elements, that really appeals to the young audience of today. He has spent the past decade touring across Canada and throughout Europe and Asia performing his music with an eclectic array of international musicians. He considers that experience a rite of passage.
When asked, what is the most interesting experience he’s ever had while on the road, he shares the story of driving through the jungles of Oaxaca Mexico en route to a performance in Puerto Escondido. Their car was stopped masked men whom turned out to be federal police. They were sticking machine guns in their faces because they thought Malcolm was a drug dealer transporting drugs. Malcolm went to his trunk, pulled out the trumpet and began playing, and the tension eased and everyone began to smile.
Malcolm’s music was inspired by the places he’s visited and performed in such as Mexico, Ecuador, Indonesia, Cuba, to name a few. People, scenes, and emotions are also his muse. He says he’s always playing and performing when he’s happy, and goes into writing mode when he’s sad.
CD Release Party for “New Futures”
Location: Guilt & Company, 1 Alexander St, Downstairs, Vancouver
Date: Thursday, October 13th, 2016
Time: 9:30 pm – 1am
Cost: $10-20 By donation, all proceeds for the event going to support @projectbluehandssociety and music programs in the DTES, https://www.facebook.com/ProjectBlueHandsSociety/
Forged in the heart of Gastown, this bold new album showcases Malcolm’s three year residency at this celebrated hub of live music. The sound is dubbed-out jazz with down tempo grooves, ambient textures and vintage synths to set the mood. A synergy emanates that recalls the sounds of Bob James and electric Miles, with modern beats inspired by J Dilla, Flying Lotus and Robert Glasper. Recorded at the Space Studios in Vancouver and mixed by Daniel Klenner (Hey Ocean, We Are The City).
On stage for the release include some of this city’s finest talent including keyboardist Max Zipursky (Shad, Star Captains), bassist James Calvin Thompson (Tonye Aganaba, Dutch Robinson), guitarist Danny McKinnon(POMO, Anderson.Paak) and drummer Brennan Saul (Brasstronaut). With DJ Thelonius Dule Mthombeni starting at 8pm.
#malcolmaiken #newfutures #gastown
About Malcolm Aiken:
Praised for his warm, lyrical sound, Malcolm Aiken’s music traverses the rich textures of jazz, world and pop music. His latest album, “New Futures” (2016), is dubbed-out jazz with deep grooves, ambient textures and vintage synths. A synergy that recalls the sounds of Bob James and electric Miles, with modern beats inspired by J Dilla, Flying Lotus and Robert Glasper.
Based in Vancouver, Malcolm is an international touring artist, music educator and producer with TrebleFive Records, a music label he co-founded in 2010. He has performed with an impressive array of artists including Latin jazz legend Chucho Valdez, Noel Gallagher of Oasis, R&B Hall of Fame singer Dutch Robinson, Polaris-prize winning band Patrick Watson and salsa superstar Jimmy Bosch. He’s played for international audiences at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, and for world figures including the Dalai Lama, Reverend Desmond Tutu and Shirin Ebadi.
Malcolm is featured annually with his groups in concerts across Canada and abroad, recent highlights include performances in Hong Kong, Mexico City, Holland and Hawaii. He is a regular performer at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, the Whistler Music Festival, and the Harmony Arts Festival.
In addition to performing with his own band, Malcolm leads and tours with several projects, including Latin dance band Mazacote and world fusion collective Tanga. He is a soloist with orchestras, jazz big bands and experimental music projects, and has performed internationally in concerts in the United States, Europe and Asia.
As a producer, his latest release “Havanaelectro” was nominated for the 2014 Western Canadian Music Awards: World Recording of the Year and the 2014 Canadian Folk Music Awards: World Group of the Year. He released his debut solo album“Paper Star” in 2010.
Malcolm is endorsed by AMT Microphones and is a Stomvi Brass Performing Artist, playing exclusively Stomvi brand trumpets and flugelhorns.
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