Stan Killian - Brooklyn Calling (2022) [Hi-Res]

The events of the past two years have led everyone to be on alert for signs of the world returning to normalcy. For saxophonist/composer Stan Killian, his sign was a phone call to get back to work on his favorite occupation: Performing for live audiences. Killian enthusiastically reunited with his longtime rhythm section bassist Cocoran Holt and drummer McClenty Hunter, along with new addition, Paul Bollenbeck, on guitar. Killian’s new recording, Brooklyn Calling, presents music honed and prepared for this group as they returned to their highly polished and exciting performance style.

Originally from Texas, Killian has been a fixture on the New York City jazz scene for over a decade. It was on his second recording for Sunnyside Records, Unified, that Killian introduced Holt and Hunter as regular members of his ensemble. His undeniable kinship with these two brilliant musicians led to the evolution of Killian’s composing style and a very strong group identity.

Killian became a fan of Bollenbeck’s playing while still in high school. Having heard the guitarist with Joey DeFrancesco and his own mentor, Gary Thomas, Killian was excited at the opportunity to invite Bollenbeck into the quartet for a gig at the 55 Bar. After that first hit, Killian knew that he needed to record this new assemblage.

During the early stages of the pandemic, Killian left New York City for Buffalo. In June 2020, he was called to resume the jam session that he hosted at The Queens Brewery in Ridgewood, Queens and served the greater Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. Killian was ecstatic that he could return to playing so quickly and jumped at the chance to rejoin his compatriots and work on the music that would become Brooklyn Calling.

The following May 2021, Killian led his quartet into the Superlegal Studios in Brooklyn to record. The quartet had prepared a program of Killian’s compositions, some new and some old, many of which found new special meanings through the challenging years of the pandemic.

The recording begins with the tentatively swinging “Horizon,” the contemplative solo tenor representing the isolation of the early months of the pandemic before ominous bass and mysterious guitar add to the foreboding feel of the post-Covid world. The shifting time signatures of “Holocene” represent the elasticity of the human spirit, which is needed in today’s ever-changing climate. The title of the wholly “Buy Back” refers to a Covid era bar policy of providing a free drink to patrons who have already bought two. “Shibuya Crossing” is a reflection on Killian’s special relationship with jazz listeners of Japan, who have been incredibly supportive of his art and tours. The tune aurally reflects the angular synchronicity of the pedestrian foot traffic at Shibuya Crossing.

The gorgeous ballad “Concept of Peace” reflects on the idea of finding inner peace during the pandemic, the laid-back melody needing to weave itself through difficult harmonic changes in an effort to find resolution. The title track catches the awkward energy of playing for the first time with other musicians after nearly four months away from the stage, a feeling that Killian and these musicians will not take for granted again. The program concludes with “Open Doors,” a hopeful homage to the reopening of New York City as it waltzes back to normal life.

The world may never again be the same after the pandemic. The isolation and tension it caused has made the world’s population really reflect on many things they had formerly taken for granted, including coming together to enjoy the company of others and enjoying live music. Stan Killian knows how important these things are, not only for himself and his city, but for everyone. His new recording, Brooklyn Calling, assures listeners that the world is indeed still out there and calling them forth.

Stan Killian - tenor saxophone
Paul Bollenbeck - guitar
Corcoran Holt - bass
McClenty Hunter - drums