Originally published in Earshot Jazz June 2017
Fresh, smart, and bold describe Samantha Boshnack's Nelly Bly Project. Inspired by the pioneer female American reporter from the late 1800's, Boshnack weaves significant quotes by the journalist into a shifting musical tapestry. Bly (a.k.a Elizabeth Cochran) defined a true woman as "innocent, unaffected, and frank." While Boshnack's sound embodies more life experience than what could be described as innocent, listeners will hear an unaffected and frank approach to writing, improvising and recording.
For this four movement work, Boshnack enlists clarinetist Beth Fleenor, keyboardist Alex Chadsey, bassist Isaac Castillo, and drummer Max Wood. Bly's quotes are spoken by actress Anne Whitfield and sung by vocalists Valerie Holt and Anne Mathews. Boshnack incorporates words by lifting a single sentence of Bly's to create a melodic and rhythmic loop which interlocks with written and improvised music.
This repetitive chanting entrances the listener, providing a fixed background for abstract flights of instrumental solos. Midway through "After One is in Trouble," Wood's invigorating drum solo segues into an organically blossoming improvisation incorporating the full ensemble. "72 Days" drives like a rock ballad. Fleenor's clarinet and Boshnack's trumpet transplant sounds from New Orleans roots into fertile Northwest forests, teeming with a balance of complexity and clarity. Boshnack's music stretches and sings with refreshing strength.
Visit https://samanthaboshnack.wordpress.com/ to read more about Samantha.
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