Nick Rousseau - This Entity Makes Music (2022) [Hi-Res]

Heralded for his thought provoking and emotionally compelling music, jazz guitarist Nick Rousseau today announced the release of his album This Entity Makes Music (Adhyâropa Records R00013). Eschewing clearly defined solo features in favor of a group improvisational aesthetic, this album is both a departure from traditional jazz forms as well as a reflection of Rousseau’s influences and experience.
Based in Brooklyn, Rousseau’s thought-provoking music threads together influences from several genres, and from a diversity of musicians; from Wayne Shorter to Shai Maestro, The Beatles to Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters to Circa Survive, and more contemporary forward-thinking music from Aaron Parks’ Little Big to Donny McCaslin. The music is complex and polyrhythmic at a surface glance, but at its core is a platform for simple, lyrical melodies and honest, heartfelt musicianship.
Rousseau began studying guitar at the age of 13, beginning with rock but soon finding his way to a lifelong passion for jazz improvisation. Furthermore, he has an equal passion for studio production and engineering, and has worked at several studios in the New York area. Through his familiarity with studio wizardry, he was finally able to realize the sounds he had been hearing in his head, and create the broad, multi-faceted sonic palette on display in this album.
The album begins with the glassy chord modulations of ‘As The World Crumbles Around Me’, warmed by Justine Garcia’s vocals, Jake D’ambra’s sax and Carlin Lee’s piano. Album guest feature Alex Sipiagin leads a group improvisation as the sound world of the album is revealed in stops and starts and fleet, undulating whisps. “This song was influenced by Siddhartha, and draws upon the influence of Om: hearing the unity of a thousand voices within one word,” Rousseau states. “It’s about humanity, community, and unity.”
The diptych of Into the Labyrinth and Jigsaw Labyrinth was inspired by Rousseau’s friend Jake “Jigzo” D’Ambra. Rousseau adds, “Together, these compositions paint a picture of running away from anxieties through a mythical forest, with the elements seeming to trap you in a labyrinth.”
Terra Deforma: The original name for “Brooklyn” was Breukelen which in Dutch means “Broken Land” (and from broken land, comes “Terra Deforma”). This song takes you through the journey of navigating through instability, tension, and doubt, with sudden and gratifying peaks and valleys.
Fever Dreams features lyrics and vocals by Jacob Aviner. “It represents those sleepless nights, where your mind is having a silent battle as you hear the slow tolling of the bells.”
At the album’s centerpiece is 03-21-19 and Geraldine, written and dedicated to Rousseau’s wife. They tell the story of the peaks and valleys of marriage, and the ultimate reward of a mutual commitment.
A reflection on one’s internal dialogue of sadness, Bastion of Sadness, “takes the listener through the journey of indecision and seemingly fighting yourself to stay upset.”
Life Cycles begins with a fiery exchange between Jake D’Ambra and Tim Volozh, who were only given the following instructions: “Drum/sax free bonanza (in time [maybe]).” Beyond that, they had complete creative freedom. The duo eventually settle into what feels like a revolving melody statement, symbolic of the tides of life: a cycle between chaos and peace recalling a similar journey featured on Rousseau’s previous album, Rest/Unrest.
The album comes to an elegant close with This Entity Will Make Music. Rousseau says, “This song is a tribute to everyone who creates music, and a commitment to myself to always make music. Life seems to always try to get in the way of doing the things that we love, and with its simple and lyrical melodies, it invites everyone to be a part of music.”
Nick Rousseau received his undergraduate degree in Jazz Performance from Florida International University and his Master’s at NYU, and studied with Alvaro Bermudez, Tom Lippincott, Gary Campbell, Eric Hofbauer, Ben Schwendener, Ari Hoenig, and Alex Sipiagin, John Hadfield, Alan Ferber, Chris Potter, and Wayne Krantz. New England Conservatory faculty pianist said, “Nick is a powerhouse of beautiful melodic and thematic music, elegantly supported by his understanding and thoughtful use of rich harmonic modalities - A truly humanistic artist with a message.”

Jake D’ambra - Tenor Saxophone
Nick Rousseau - Guitar and Effects
Sean Hannon - Bass
Tim Volozh - Drums

All compositions and arrangements by Nick Rousseau
Lyrics on “Fever Dreams” written by Jacob Aviner
Alex Sipiagin (trumpet) - Tracks 1, 4, 8, 10
Justine Garcia (vocals) - Tracks 1, 3
Jacob Aviner (vocals) - Tracks 5, 10
I’RO (flute, clarinet, bass clarinet) - Tracks 1, 5, 7-10
Carlin Lee (piano) - Tracks 1, 4, 5, 10

Tracklist:
1 01. Nick Rousseau - As The World Crumbles Around Me (05:03)
1 02. Nick Rousseau - Into The Labyrinth (01:46)
1 03. Nick Rousseau - Jigsaw Labyrinth (04:58)
1 04. Nick Rousseau - Terra Deforma (09:20)
1 05. Nick Rousseau - Fever Dreams (05:21)
1 06. Nick Rousseau - 03-21-19 (00:51)
1 07. Nick Rousseau - Geraldine (05:49)
1 08. Nick Rousseau - Bastion of Sadness (06:22)
1 09. Nick Rousseau - Life Cycles (03:09)
1 10. Nick Rousseau - This Entity Will Make Music (02:20)