MODERN ANCESTORS

Two words with significantly different connotations that come together and remind us that not only do opposites attract, but that we are all products of those who came before us; our Ancestors can be honored and reinterpreted, continually present and very much a part of who we are and what influences us today.

Such is the common thread running through Modern Ancestors.

"I have always felt that the jazz singer by definition is associated with standards from the past century, our Ancestors. The idea of Modern is simply to give the music I write and sing the chance to be seen and heard in the now - authentic 21st century Jazz. My vocal influences include many of our great and most recent predecessors: Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Shirley Horn, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, Miles Davis, John Coltrane. This project pays tribute to these fine artists, and to the cultural and musical contributions from the diaspora. The Modern Ancestors who left behind a legacy and defined the sound and spirit of Jazz, the music of our time and all times."

- Carmen Lundy

Featuring 10 self-penned and arranged tracks and a stellar band consisting of Julius Rodriguez on piano, brother Curtis Lundy on acoustic upright bass, Kenny Davis on electric and acoustic bass, Mayra Casales on percussion, Terreon Gully and Kassa Overall on drums and Andrew Renfroe on guitar, Modern Ancestors is set for release October 25th via Afrasia Productions and will be accompanied by tour dates both in the US and abroad.

From the Gospel-inflected musings of “Burden Down, Burden Down” (Hello Sister Rosetta Tharpe!) to the Afro-Cuban vibes of “Hola De Calor” and “Affair Brazil”; from the Geri Allen-inspired “A Time For Peace” to the cynical humor of “Jazz On TV” and the terror and sadness of “Flowers And Candles”. From the beautiful love songs of “Meant For Each Other” and “Still” to the tropics-inspired “Eye Of The Storm,” Modern Ancestors takes the listener on a musical journey that traverses a multitude of cultures, emotions and generations and is at the same time unlike any album Carmen has recorded in the past and yet remains so true to her craft.

Video: Eye of the Storm

Album Details

Track List

A Time For Peace [4:10]
Burden Down, Burden Down [3:58]
Ola De Calor [6:22]
Flowers And Candles [4:18]
Jazz On TV [4:28]
Meant For Each Other [4:26]
Eye Of The Storm [9:39]
Clear Blue Skies [3:30]
Affair Brazil [4:48]
Still [6:03]

Personnel

Carmen Lundy: vocals [1-10], background vocals [1, 2, 3, 5, 9], nylon string guitar [6, 9], rhythm guitar [2], tambourine [2], synthesizers [1, 2], orchestrations [4, 6, 8, 9, 10], Fender Rhodes, keyboards [1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9]

Julius Rodriguez: piano [1-10]

Curtis Lundy: acoustic upright bass [1, 3, 4, 10]

Kenny Davis: electric bass [2, 3, 7], acoustic bass [5, 6, 8, 9]

Terreon Gully: drums [1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10]

Kassa Overall: drums [2, 5, 8, 9]

Andrew Renfroe: guitar [2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10]

Mayra Casales: percussion [2, 3, 7, 8, 9]

Production Team

Produced by Carmen Lundy and Elisabeth Oei

All songs composed and arranged by Carmen Lundy,
Carmen Lundy Publishing/BMI except * by Marilyn Castilaw (Redfield Music/BMI), Julie Raynor (Castle Dream Music/BMI).

Recorded and Mixed by Don Murray at Stagg Street Studio and Afrasia Studio on July 8-10, 2019. Mastered by Paul Blakemore.