CD Since their formation in 2007, Blue Cranes have become a key player in the Portland, Oregon creative music/DIY scene and one of the most exciting groups to keep tabs on in the Northwest. They've developed a singular musical voice grounded in melody and explosive improvisations-marking off their unique microcosmic territory in 'post-jazz' circles. The members of the quintet-Reed Wallsmith on alto saxophone, Joe Cunningham on tenor saxophone, Rebecca Sanborn on keyboards, Keith Brush on bass, and Ji Tanzer on drums-bring a unique array of experiences to their group-centered aesthetic, including work with AU, The Decemberists, Laura Veirs, Wayne Horvitz, Rebecca Gates, Laura Gibson, Ethan Rose, Pete Krebs, Black Prairie, and Portland Cello Project. Swim is a departure from Blue Cranes' previous, and in some ways simpler, albums. Steered dutifully by producer Nate Query of The Decemberists, it is a window into the sometimes messy emotional space of a group struggling with and celebrating the ephemeralness of life. 'It's a lot denser than our other records', says Cunningham. 'It's got this heaviness to it, and a lot of dissonance. I think we were all sort of okay with that because of how we were feeling. It's dark, but it's not all dark.' 'It's an imprint of that time', adds Sanborn. 'Just as our new works in progress are marked by who we are now.' Guests include Steve Berlin (Los Lobos), Noah Bernstein (tUnE-yArDs), Patti King (Radiation City), Anna Fritz (Portland Cello Project), Eyvind Kang (Bill Frisell, Laura Veirs) among others. If the musical cameos on Swim alone aren't an indication of the band's communal artistry, their internal relationships with each other as players is more than enough. 'We listen to each other very deeply', says Wallsmith. 'We'll show up with a song, and no one is scared to say anything about it', continues Cunningham. 'We just dig into it, pull it apart and nobody's going to get their feelings hurt. It's definitely a loving relationship.' Jazz
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