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Little Ella Bella by David Friesen

From the album

Album Title: A Light Shining Through
Label: Origin Records
Released: 2024

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About the Album

Though a major international jazz figure for decades, it wasn't until 2015 that a tour allowed bassist-composer David Friesen the opportunity to visit his mother's ancestral home of Ukraine for the first time. Welcomed by a camera crew and introductions to pivotal musicians and cultural institutions, his journey was first documented on 2020's critically acclaimed Testimony, recorded live at Kyiv's National Philharmonic Hall with the National Academic Symphonic Band of Ukraine. The ensuing pandemic and war put further plans on hold, but Friesen was able to record with the Kyiv Mozart String Quartet in October 2021, and those recordings provide the framework and soul of A Light Shining Through. Adding organic percussion sounds and saxophone to his singing melodies, the album's tuneful vignettes reflect the many emotions exposed through his journey of ancestral discovery. "...a musical manifestation of the spiritual light that offers forgiveness, hope and purpose." - DownBeat

Tracks

Little Ella Bella; Time Through Light; Dressed In Red; My Prayer; Blue And Red; Children's Song; Staircase; One Last Time; One Last time; Islands; Passage; Luxury Liner; A Light Shing through; Festival; Glide; Softly Tells the Story; Forgiveness.

Personnel

David Friesen

bass

Joe Manis

saxophone

Charlie Doggett

drums

Additional Personnel

David Friesen: percussion, piano; Alex Fantaev: percussion; Kyiv Mozart String Quartet: Olga Sheleshkova: violin; Pavio Khmara: violin; Andrew Makij: viola; Sergey Kazakov: cello.

Reviews

A Light Shining Through by Dan McClenaghan

Date featured

November 11, 2024

This song appears by permission of the contributing artist and/or record company.
It is for personal use only; no other rights are granted or implied.