Biotic Shawn Lovato

• 1 Spling 06:52
• 2 Frequent Flyer 05:37
• 3 One Step from Anything Easy 02:40
• 4 Patience and Hydration 05:36
• 5 Inexorable 06:21
• 6 Dirt Doesn't Burn 08:14
• 7 Parachute Bloom 07:03
• Total Runtime 42:23

Info zu Biotic

At a moment when contemporary jazz continues to wrestle with its own definitions, caught between institutional recognition and underground reinvention, this album arrives as both a provocation and a statement of intent. Amid the steady stream of CDs landing on my desk in recent weeks, one cover immediately caught my eye. Its graphic design, whether deliberately or not, echoes the visual language long associated with Germany’s ACT label. That resemblance alone was enough to move it to the top of my listening pile, accompanied by a mild sense of embarrassment: how had I managed not to know this musician already, given that he has released several albums to date?

From the very first listen, it becomes evident that Shawn Lovato possesses a fully formed compositional voice. He plunges headfirst into structures of considerable complexity, without hesitation or apology. This is not an album designed for immediate gratification, nor will it appeal to every listener. Its rewards are cumulative, revealing themselves not through melodic comfort but through sustained attention. Yet for those seeking musicians with a strong, unmistakable identity, and a commitment to resolutely modern forms of expression, the experience proves deeply compelling.

Much of what allows musicians to push themselves this far seems rooted in the way Lovato understands his own work. He does not hesitate to immerse himself in the creative worlds of others, among them Ingrid Laubrock, Tony Malaby, Tom Rainey, Anna Webber, Jacob Sacks, DoYeon Kim, Brandon Seabrook, and many more. These encounters inevitably feed his writing, expanding his vocabulary and compelling him to exceed his own previous boundaries. (Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move)

Shawn Lovato, double bass
Ingrid Laubrock, tenor saxophone
Henry Mermer, drums

Recorded by Ryan Streber at Oktaven Audio, Mt. Vernon, NY, November 2024
Mixed and edited by Ryan Streber at Oktaven Audio, May 2025
Mastered by Scott Hull at Masterdisk, Peekskill, NY
Produced by Shawn Lovato

Shawn Lovato
is a New York-based bassist, composer, and improviser “with a distinctive compositional approach and a knack for finding the right partners to bring it to life” (All About Jazz). Growing up on the outskirts of New York City, Lovato was deeply influenced by its underground scenes, including hip hop, metal, and punk rock. These early fringe influences continue to shape his dedication to a wide range of musical approaches—taking him from CBGB to The Stone to Lincoln Center. As a bandleader, Lovato’s albums Microcosms (ears&eyes, 2022) and Cycles of Animation (Skirl, 2017) display a breathtaking spectrum that push the frameworks of contemporary improvisation. Shawn’s records have been described as “absolutely stunning” (Jazz Trail) and “profound” (Jazz Word). In addition to leading his own projects, Lovato has performed alongside Ingrid Laubrock, Tony Malaby, Tom Rainey, Anna Webber, Jacob Sacks, DoYeon Kim, Brandon Seabrook, and others, and serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Hofstra University.

Ingrid Laubrock
is an experimental saxophonist and composer, interested in exploring the borders between musical realms and creating multi-layered, dense and often evocative sound worlds. A prolific composer, Laubrock was named a “true visionary” by pianist and former Kennedy Center & a “fully committed saxophonist and visionary” by The New Yorker. Laubrock has performed with Anthony Braxton, Muhal Richard Abrams, Jason Moran, Kris Davis, Nels Cline, Tyshawn Sorey, Mary Halvorson, Myra Melford, Zeena Parkins, Tom Rainey, Tim Berne, Dave Douglas, Wet Ink and many others. Laubrock has composed for ensembles ranging from solo to chamber orchestra. Awards include Fellowship in Jazz Composition by the Arts Foundation, BBC Jazz Prize for Innovation, SWR German Radio Jazz Prize and German Record Critics Quarterly Award.

Henry Mermer is a drummer, improviser, and composer of instrumental and electronic music currently based in Ridgewood, Queens. As a collaborator and improviser, he has performed at venues including The Stone, The Jazz Gallery, The Blue Note, happylucky no. 1, Spectrum NYC, Public Records, and The Bar Next Door. Henry holds a B.A. in Philosophy and a B.F.A. in Jazz and Contemporary Music from The New School, where he studied with Andrew Cyrille, Jane Ira Bloom, Reggie Workman, Matt Wilson, Mary Halvorson, and Eric Wubbels.

Bhob Rainey
is a Philadelphia-based composer, saxophonist, and sound designer celebrated for his innovative contributions to contemporary, experimental, and improvised music. A recipient of the prestigious Pew Fellowship in the Arts and co-founder of the influential improvisational duo nmperign, Rainey has garnered acclaim for his groundbreaking work across disciplines, including collaborations in theater, dance, and visual art. With performances and commissions spanning prestigious venues and festivals worldwide, his work continuously challenges boundaries of musical thought and instrumental technique.

Joey Sullivan and John Moran have been active in the Philadelphia scene for years. Moran has been a part of Maya Keren’s trio with Julian Miltenberger, Micah Graves’ group, as well as playing in bands like Bark Culture, EAT, Guitars and Drums, and Ceiba, both of the latter alongside Joey Sullivan.

Sullivan is active in both setting up some very successful free music showings as well as playing with an array of east coast improvisers. Playing drums in out music groups like Bark Culture & Violet Salon III with James McKain as well as playing in active alt-folk groups like Florry.

Dieses Album enthält kein Booklet