Pascal Le Boeuf - Ritual Being (2023) [Official Digital Download 24/88]

After a decade working as a jazz pianist in NYC, GRAMMY-nominated pianist and composer Pascal Le Boeuf took a leap of faith and enrolled in Princeton University’s PhD program to explore the boundaries of jazz improvisation and contemporary classical composition. Seven years later, “Ritual Being” is a compendium of his explorations featuring leading performers Linda May Han Oh, Justin Brown, Friction Quartet, Sara Caswell, Todd Reynolds, Jessica Meyer, Nick Photinos, Remy Le Boeuf, Ben Wendel, and others. The title track “Ritual Being” is about the effects of mankind’s behaviors on the planet and each other.

“Ritual Being” is a focused yet open-ended treatise on our daily habits. The new work encourages listeners to think about the semi-subconscious activities we undertake every day, and to consider the impact of those actions, whether social, environmental, or economic. The nine-piece hybrid ensemble features San Francisco’s Friction Quartet, as well as Remy Le Boeuf on alto saxophone, Anna Webber on tenor saxophone, Martin Nevin on bass, and Jochen Rueckert on drums. We spoke with Pascal Le Boeuf, as well as Otis Harriel and Kevin Rogers of Friction Quartet, about “Ritual Being.” We started with the work’s core themes, and opened into a larger discussion about audience engagement and the creative process.

Pascal Le Boeuf, piano, compositions

Friction Quartet: (5, 12, 13)
Kevin Rogers, violin
Otis Harriel, violin
Taija Warbelow, viola
Doug Machiz, cello
Shattered Glass: (1, 2, 6-9, 11)
Katherine Liccardo, violin
Ravenna Lipchik, violin
Michael Davis, viola
Luke Krafka, cello
Max Jacob, bass
Linda May Han Oh, bass
Justin Brown, drums
Remy Le Boeuf, alto saxophone (2-5, 8, 9, 11, 12)
Ben Wendel, tenor saxophone (2, 3, 5, 8, 12)
Todd Reynolds, violin (3, 4)
Sara Caswell, violin (3)
Jessica Meyer, viola (3)
Nick Photinos, cello (3, 4, 10)
Kelli Kathman, flute (4)
Charles Yang, violin (10)

Tracklist:
01. Ritual Awakening
02. Transition Behavior
03. Wanderlust
04. Media Control
05. Ritual Being, Pt. 1 (feat. Remy Le Boeuf)
06. Rituals of Change, Pt. 1
07. Rituals of Change, Pt. 2
08. Rituals of Change, Pt. 3 (feat. Remy Le Boeuf & Ben Wendel)
09. Rituals of Change, Pt. 4 (feat. Remy Le Boeuf)
10. Obliquely Wrecked (feat. Justin Brown)
11. Transition Behavior Redux (feat. Remy Le Boeuf)
12. Ritual Being, Pt. 2
13. Family of Others


Thanks to the Original customer!