Jonah Parzen-Johnson - Helsinki 8.12.18 (2019) [Hi-Res]

Brooklyn-based saxophonist Jonah Parzen-Johnson presents an inspired set of music for baritone sax and electronics, captured at Helsinki's We Jazz Festival in December 2018. The mood of the set is intense, with Parzen-Johnson's powerful music blending perfectly with the spacious feel of the room. His commentary in between songs gives the set a communal feel, which can now thankfully be revisited in the warm spirit of this wonderful evening of music. Here's what Jonah says about it: "I perform in a constant state of reaction. Rather than reaching for a specific compositional framework, or textural aesthetic, I’m looking for a partnership. Like any real partnership, I will sometimes expect more than I deserve, and sometimes compromise more than I feel like I should. I will recalibrate, doubt, become overconfident, challenge, experiment, give, and be grateful. But regardless of the state of our partnership, I will always remind myself that nothing I create can exist without the connection between me and those who choose to listen. The concert in Helsinki was a special iteration of this partnership. I’m still learning how to adjust to environments where basically everyone is a stranger, but by the end of these kinds of shows I often feel a warmth and affinity that used to feel very rare. When I listen back to the recordings I hear the sound of rain water rushing from the roof and the unique decay of sound reverberating through the bespoke space, and instantly feel a sense of gratitude as I relive the partnership at the core of this set, and imagine being able to share it with you." The release is tape only in terms of its physical distribution, while also a digital version is offered for streaming and download. "Helsinki 8.12.18" by Jonah Parzen-Johnson is a part of the ongoing "We Jazz Live Plates" series documenting the label's live activities. Jonah Parzen-Johnson, baritone saxophone, electronics Recorded at We Jazz Festival in Helsinki, 8 Dec 2018 Recorded, mixed and mastered by Juho Luukkainen Produced by Jonah Parzen-Johnson & Matti Nives

1.01 - Jonah Parzen-Johnson - This Is How It Works (Live In Helsinki 8.12.18) (3:18)
1.02 - Jonah Parzen-Johnson - Everything Is Everything Else (Live In Helsinki 8.12.18) (5:31)
1.03 - Jonah Parzen-Johnson - It's Better If You Don't (Live In Helsinki 8.12.18) (7:34)
1.04 - Jonah Parzen-Johnson - Certain Kinds Of Questions (Live In Helsinki 8.12.18) (0:58)
1.05 - Jonah Parzen-Johnson - You Don't Get to Finish (Live In Helsinki 8.12.18) (5:18)
1.06 - Jonah Parzen-Johnson - Trying to Explain (Live In Helsinki 8.12.18) (1:12)
1.07 - Jonah Parzen-Johnson - Find the Feeling (Live In Helsinki 8.12.18) (7:43)
1.08 - Jonah Parzen-Johnson - Keeping In Touch (Live In Helsinki 8.12.18) (3:27)