For many people, the pandemic was a time of isolation and sadness. For Jay Clemens, it was a time of self-reflection, creative experimentation, and personal discovery. After retiring from a decades-long career in the corporate legal world, he took an online songwriting class at the Jazz School in Berkeley, California. The songs originating in that class became the core of Jay’s New Nirvana album. They offer a new take on the themes and stories that captured Jay’s focus during the pandemic - evolving stories of love and loss, the “new normal” of isolation, and the evolution of values in a rapidly changing world.
Jay’s foil in writing the album was Rachel Efron, his teacher at the Jazz School, who also served as co-writer, producer, and background vocalist. Jay credits Rachel with recruiting exceptional musicians who brought his songs to life. In particular, popular Bay Area performers Scotty Wright and Maurice Tani provided inspired lead vocals on numerous tracks. The remarkable versatility of the instrumentalists and arrangers is also evident in the album. Every track features the excellent work of James DePrato (guitar), Jason Slota (percussion), Daniel Fabricant (bass), and Omree Gal-Oz (keys).
New Nirvana defies classification by genre. Although several tracks on the album are anchored by Jay’s country roots in North Dakota, his love of jazz music can be heard throughout the album. Jay likens the traditional harmonies of jazz to a gigantic painter’s palette. “Complex harmony allows the songwriter to convey more nuanced emotions, and the lyric traditions of the Great American Songbook create room for playfulness and unconventional imagery.” The ghosts of Johnny Mercer and Dave Frishberg can been heard wandering through several of Jay’s songs on the album. In particular, “I Could Use a New Muse” provides a poignant yet humorous perspective on the loss of a songwriter’s muse and love interest. Bolstered by Shaina Evoniuk’s string arrangements and the mournful alto saxophone sounds of Kenny Shick, the song takes us on a journey we have all experienced.
However, jazz is not the only genre in New Nirvana. Jay sees his music as the artistic product of the many places and musical traditions he has experienced in his life. “New Nirvana” provides glimpses of the rural American west, the bustling streets of China, and the sometimes sophisticated and sometimes funky vibrance of the big city. Jay does not want to be associated with only one music genre. He aspires to blend elements from multiple genres to provide the listener with a sense of surprise and heightened depth of meaning and emotion. “I've taken a cross-section of my musical roots and experiences and put them in the album…I haven't tried to narrow the definition of who I am or what I write in order to fit into a category. I hope listeners will enjoy the variety.”
As for releasing the music to the world, Jay found the experience both exciting and scary. He quoted D.W. Winnicott who said, “Artists are people driven by the tension between the desire to communicate and the desire to hide.” Jay said that releasing New Nirvana was an act of both hope and courage. “Most songs are not autobiographical, but there is still a lot of songwriter in every song. You have to summon the courage to present your songs and reveal something about yourself. You don’t know whether listeners will appreciate the songs or whether they will disappear into the ether.” Two of Jay’s songs on the album have already avoided the ether. “Halo Above Her” and “Falling in Love on Zoom,” which were released as singles earlier this year, have won awards in three national songwriting competitions.
New Nirvana is a throwback to the golden era of American songwriting, but it is also an experiment in taking old traditions new places. In the hands of the master story-teller, the songs both entertain and inspire.
You can listen to New Nirvana here.
You can keep up with Jay Clemens on the following platforms:
-
Forrest Frank Talks GMA Dove Awards Nominations, Success of ‘Good Day,’ Finding His Voice as an Artist: ‘This Whole Journey Has Felt Like a Gift’
Forrest Frank tells Billboard about his Dove Awards nominations, his music's connection with a new generation of fans and more.
-
Papa Roach’s Jacoby Shaddix on the Linkin Park reunion: “It’s awesome that their music can be celebrated”
"I know people are very polarised about this"
-
Watch Flavor Flav Ring the New York Stock Exchange’s Closing Bell & Send the Gavel Flying Into Crowd
The Public Enemy rapper joined the U.S. Women's Water Polo Team he sponsored at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
-
Remy Ma Goes Topless In Racy 'Outta Control' Video With Fat Joe
Remy Ma has debuted a risqué new look in her new “Outta Control” video with Fat Joe and Cool & Dre.
-
Bakar announces London 2024 Alexandra Palace show
The musician said the gig will be his "best one yet"
-
Macklemore accidentally invites a woman wanted by police on stage in Slovakia
The woman's social media post boasting about the experience led to her arrest
-
Rihanna Laughs At Reporter Who Asks If She Attended Diddy Parties: Watch
The singer was amused.
-
Freddie Gibbs Teases New Music With Cryptic Instagram Message
We've been waiting.
-
Fashion Nova Clowns Drake With "BBL Drizzy" Halloween Costume
The jokes haven't died down.
-
L.A. band Elk Moon avoids the ‘escapism’ of modern rock, tackles current societal issues instead
To hear them tell it, songwriters Luke Hancock and Drew Lucas have been encouraging each other to question the nature of reality and the information we’re given from the so-called mainstream ever since they first met.
-
Nicki Minaj Shares Adorable Papa Bear Moments On Son's 4th Birthday
Nicki Minaj has shown a softer side of her personality by sharing a number of intimate moments with her son Papa Bear in celebration of his 4th birthday.
-
Kendrick Lamar Spotted Filming Debut Movie With 'South Park' Creators
Kendrick Lamar has been spotted filming his first-ever movie with South Park co-creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker.
-
Royal Deb displays her Jamaican roots new reggae single “Somebody For Everybody”
Since Royal Deb was just a child in St. Ann, Jamaica, she has been immersed in the reggae music scene.
-
FP Relly releases one-two punch of hip-hop songs in “Enjoy the Life/Fast Money” off his newest album Perseverance Vol. 1.
Atlanta based rapper FP Relly has just dropped a brand new one-two punch of songs, complete with a music video, that will show how he enjoys life and strives to get that bag.
-
Indie Singer-songwriter Lizz Pens a Song for Healing in Latest Single ‘There’s A Place’
Singaporean singer-songwriter Lizz shares her recent single, “There’s A Place,” an ode to healing in the face of suffering and war.
-
Petty Human Emotions releases crowd pleasing rocker “Sadness,” off their new album Outside
Petty Human Emotions has released a fan favorite new single, “Sadness,” that singer and guitar-ist James Nardiello said is always a banger at their shows, and translates well onto record.
-
ASTAR Shines Brightly with Pop-Afro Single ‘TTL TTR’
Singer and philanthropist Astou Sandra Smith—better known as ASTAR—is set to release her latest single, “TTL TTR.”
-
T'Myh B Makes Falling in Love Fun Again with Latest Single ‘Honey’
Singer and songwriter Tamiyah Alexis Brown—known as T'Myh B—is doubling down on love with an upbeat single about taking the first step.
COMMENTS
Leave a comment