Virginia MacDonald’s long-awaited debut album “In Search Of…” is an apt showcase of the Canadian-born, New York-based clarinetist’s prowess as a bandleader and her distinctive and modern approach to the clarinet which has earned widespread international acclaim. Recorded over two days in July 2024 at Acoustic Recording in Brooklyn, New York, “In Search Of…” features luminaries Geoffrey Keezer on piano and Ira Coleman on bass, alongside two preeminent voices of the next generation, drummer Curtis Nowosad, and featured vocalist Laura Anglade.
With twenty-plus albums under her belt as a collaborator and sidewoman, the Juno-Award winning clarinetist’s debut album serves as a launching pad for the next step of her musical journey. Comprised of six original compositions and two standards from the Jazz canon, the album is a testament to Virginia’s deeply personal, lyrical, and singular musical voice.
Grammy Award-winning trombonist Michael Dease writes in the album’s liner notes, “Virginia MacDonald is not only an exceptional clarinetist, she is a visionary — an innovator and trailblazer on her instrument — redefining the creative possibilities of jazz clarinet for a new generation.”
Personnel
Virginia MacDonald – clarinet | Geoffrey Keezer – piano | Ira Coleman – bass | Curtis Nowosad – drums | Laura Anglade – voice (tracks 1 & 5)
Track Listing
- Last Call at Dimitri’s – 07:28
- In Search Of… – 05:39
- Stardust – 07:39
- Retrogression – 05:14
- Up High, Down Low – 07:59
- Hope – 05:34
- Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love – 05:13
- Eternal Return of the Same – 04:36
Credits
Executive Producers – Cory Weeds & Virginia MacDonald | Producers – Virginia MacDonald & Todd Marcus | Recorded at Acoustic Recording, 279 Sterling Place, Brooklyn, New York on July 2nd & 3rd, 2024 | Engineer – Michael Brorby | Mixing and Mastering – Sheldon Zaharko | Photography – Lesia Glowala | Design – Perry Chua | Production Manager – Dominic Duchamp