Songs of Tales - Life Is a Gong Show (2020)

Petr Cancura: saxophones & electronics
Jean Martin: drums & electronics
Jesse Zubot: violin, electronics, bass, & keyboards
Gordon Grdina: guitar, oud & bass

Songs of Tales is where the strange meets the beautiful, where simple songs are juxtaposed with sonic outlandishness, rhythmic complexity, and the excitement of uncertainty that makes you think and rethink what you’re hearing.

Songs of Tales is an extraordinary collaboration from four authentic and like-minded artists from across Canada. Their debut, self-titled album is a collection of songs, visual and visceral stories, all told through instrumental music. Inspired by everything from Charles Mingus to Ornette Coleman to film music, this avante-jazz-pop inspired sound begins with the unique instrumentation of sax, violin, guitar and drums. On the album this expands to Petr Cancura on saxophones & electronics; Gord Grdina on guitar, oud and bass; Jesse Zubot on violin, electronics, bass and keyboards, and Jean Martin on drums and electronics.

Recorded at the legendary Afterlife Studios in Vancouver, Canada, Songs of Tales is true collaborative music making at its best. Individually these artists have spent years finding their own paths. What makes this project special is that with full trust, everyone embraced the unknown, allowing for this uninhibited album to take shape.