Natural Bounce by Rob Garcia

One thing that thrills me about this band is that each memberis not only a master of their instrument and has an incredible copasetic sense of playing and improvising within the group, but they’re also innovators with distinct voices and personalities on their respective instruments. Almost every song on this album was written with Noah, Leo and Kim in mind. Most of this music was also written during the Covid 19 pandemic shut down. In September 2021, we were fortunate enough to do a tour in the US that was funded by the Jazz Road Tour grant by South Arts. Much of the music on this album was performed and developed during that tour. It was a great gift to travel and perform after being locked down for over a year giving us a taste of touring life before Covid.

“Mr KC” is a piece I wrote for Kim Cass. Knowing that Kim can play harmonics on the bass like no one else I have ever heard, I wrote a melody to be played only using harmonics. “Gary Song” is inspired by the Cameroonian Bikutsi music we listened to on our tour and named after a new friend we met on the tour. Spring of 2021 inspired “Meeting of the Tulips” and “Vernal”. “Dark Blue Horse Power” and “Stretch” are compositions inspired by the power, intensity and endless creativity that I hear coming from my bandmates. “Natural Bounce” 1, 2 and 3 are short drum solo improvisations incorporating the natural rhythm of a dropped stick bouncing.“A Flower for Diana, Part 2” and “Sweet Joe” are tunes I wrote dedicated to my loving and supportive parents who have passed on.

As performers, each track documents a short musical adventure. I invite listeners to take in the sounds with an adventurous mindset, and I hope the music will challenge, elate and inspire.

With love, Rob Garcia

www.robgarciamusic.com