Raymond John - Joy Ride (2018)

Tracklist
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01. Joy Ride
02. I'd Do It For Your Love
03. Follower
04. Minnesota, WI
05. Be Still, My Soul
06. Fortress
07. Solsbury Hill
08. En Route
09. The Times They Are A-Changin
10. Hymn


In life, it is easy to become untethered and lose a sense of stability. For many, stability is found in close relationships, whether it be with partners, family or friends. It is exactly these connections that make the journey through life possible and, in John Raymond’s case, a Joy Ride.

In the unfettered world of the jazz musician, having a long time working group with a unique identity and sound is a rare thing. There are certain regional sensibilities that emerge from around the nation. There does seem to be some instinctual urge from Midwestern musicians that makes them attracted to more familial surroundings, musically speaking: a close-knit band.

Originally from the Minneapolis area, John Raymond grew to appreciate musicians who wanted not only a connection with their audience but also with their associates on the bandstand and, taking this to heart, the trumpeter applied the sentiment when he created his own band, Real Feels.

Raymond moved to New York City after spending some time studying music in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He was able to establish himself in the New York scene playing alongside well-known musicians like Billy Hart, Orrin Evans, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Dan Tepfer and Linda May Han Oh. But Raymond was increasingly drawn to creating and leading a band of his own, which has always been his main focus.

By the time he moved to the City, Raymond had already been drawn to Gilad Hekselman’s playing. The guitarist’s lyrical style was perfect for Raymond’s musical direction and Raymond began to employ Hekselman in many of his projects. After a few years of playing together, Raymond wanted to experiment with an ensemble sound that he found increasingly more attractive, a flugelhorn-led trio with guitar and drums à la Jim Hall and Art Farmer and, more recently, the collaborations of Ron Miles, Bill Frisell and Brian Blade.

The initial performance of what would become Real Feels was a revelation for Raymond. He provided simple lead sheets, which allowed the group free reign in terms of interpreting the music. It was shortly thereafter that drummer Colin Stranahan would cement himself as the bedrock of Real Feels. The group would go on to release two albums in 2016, the self titled Real Feels and a live follow up Real Feels: Live, Vol. 1.

Raymond wants the music of Real Feels to connect to his listeners. So rather than compose “heady” or complex songs, he focused on simplifying and writing music that people could sing along with. The majority of the music on Joy Ride was written during a self-imposed summer retreat in which Raymond spent hours composing each day. He also decided to compose at the piano, an instrument on which he is less in command, creating a natural handicap to insure the pieces would be more natural.

When Real Feels was ready to record, Raymond brought in Matt Pierson as producer to help streamline the recording process and help craft a stronger musical presentation.

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