Shawn Maxwell - Story at Eleven (2023)

My eleventh album as bandleader and composer is a little different than the previous ten. This record is a long-form composition in four movements. Each movement stands independently, but they are connected musically and emotionally.

“Appointment With…” starts our journey with a piano ostinato in a time signature of four. The melody works with – and against – this recurring theme; moving us forward while suggesting apprehension beneath. A groove in ten is the backbone of “Internal Rift”. The gray mood reflects the inner conflict – as does the time change to seven for the sax solo. Just when the path seems clear, it modulates and diverges.

“Near Surrender” comes back to seven with a disheartened feel in E flat minor. Still, hope is suggested in my solo, which returns to four; hearkening back to the beginning. As we approach our “Answer & Arrival”, we find ourselves in thirteen with a propelling rhythm. The Rhodes solo is, fittingly, in eleven, and continues to elevate the mood. In three, our destination is reached; triumphantly, together.

Thank you Collin, Greg and Michael for your talents and performances.
Thank you Nick for all that you do to help the story come to life.

Thank you for taking this journey with us.
See you again at twelve. - Shawn Maxwell