...an artist of the first order...Everywhere his playing is marked by finely judged balance and exquisite melodic colour...
Adding to his inarguably singular and ambitious body of work, the saxophonist, composer and Fulbright Scholar captures a year of study and creation in the Irish city of Limerick with this collection of eight new compositions, along with a captivating reading of the traditional Irish song, "She Moved Through the Fair." Surrounded by musicians ready to engage and collaborate, Confluence displays a similar dynamism to his Ghana-inspired album Joy, or his volumes with multiple highly accomplished American poets. Solidly reflecting their place, time, and the significant talents involved, they also carry the thread of an artist with an undeniable voice and vision. The searing guitar work of Joe O'Callaghan, the expansive drumming of John Daly and the uniquely personal voice of Jane Fraser (aka JaYne) on three songs are standouts in this engaging and often moving collection.
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Benjamin Boone - alto saxophone
Joe O'Callaghan - acoustic and electric guitars
John Daly - drums
Dan Bodwell - upright bass (1,4,6,9)
Rory Murphy - electric/upright bass (2,3,5,7,8)
JaYne - vocals (3,5,9)
James Miley - piano/Fender Rhodes (1,2,5)
Rodrigo Dalla - percussion (1,9)
Produced by James Miley and Benjamin Boone
Recorded by Ben Wanders
at Wanderland Recording Studios, Limerick, Ireland
July 11,12,14, 2023
Mixed & mastered by Mike Marciano
at Systems Two, Long Island, NY
Cover Design and Layout by John Bishop