Chicago Soul Jazz Collective is celebrating the release of the group’s debut album, Soulophone, with a free (!!) record release party – sponsored by WDCB 90.9 – at Wire in Berwyn on Feb. 13. Featuring tracks cut live, the album captures the collaborative spirit of the project while celebrating early 1960s soul jazz.
“Soulophone, the debut recording by this ensemble, is a labor of love and we hope that our excitement at having the opportunity to play and record these tunes translates to the listeners as it is a true honor to be a part of this group and to be able to pay homage to this incredible style of jazz and the legends who created it,” explained co-founder John Fournier.
Tunes by Jimmy Smith, Ramsey Lewis, Herbie Hancock and Lee Morgan are among those in Chicago Soul Jazz Collective’s vast repertoire.
Along with Fournier, Chicago Soul Jazz Collective features a lineup of talented Chicago area musicians including Marques Carroll (trumpet), Andrew Vogt (bass), Keith Brooks (drums), Amr Marcin Fahmy (piano) and Kyle Asche (guitar). Fournier himself is a saxophonist, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger and educator who has worked with the likes of Bernadette Peters, Robbie Fulks, Prince and many more.
“From the very beginning this group has had a spark,” said Fournier. “The concerts are well attended hard-grooving affairs and the recordings for this album were cut live and the vibe flows so easily from this ensemble that it has grown from being a fun side project to a musical force to be reckoned with. Soul Jazz is a style of jazz that is approachable by all kinds of listeners and it can soothe and excite the senses in a most satisfactory fashion. Everything on our debut record are well known and lesser known chestnuts from the soul jazz era and we are heading back into the studios to record a second batch of classics along with a few originals we have crafted in the style.”
More information about Chicago Soul Jazz Collective – and the group’s Feb. 13 performance at Wire – is available at Chicagosouljazzcollective.com.