The Lyric Inspiration Project is a new series of works for The Jim Scully 4-tet, a new jazz group which he formed in the summer of 2011 with Kris Tiner (trumpet/flugelhorn); Glen Fong (basses) and Canaan McDuffie (drums/percussion).
This project finds a way to fuse a love for contemporary pop/rock/folk singer-songwriters and a love of instrumental jazz. Ever since Scully began playing guitar, pop music was a big part of his musical landscape. While his tastes have evolved and been refined over time, he is very strongly drawn to the music of a new generation of songwriters who sing about a wide range of emotions - but do so with passion, eloquence, strength, power and frustration. The lyrics of these artists are the inspiration for this project.
This project finds a way to fuse a love for contemporary pop/rock/folk singer-songwriters and a love of instrumental jazz. Ever since Scully began playing guitar, pop music was a big part of his musical landscape. While his tastes have evolved and been refined over time, he is very strongly drawn to the music of a new generation of songwriters who sing about a wide range of emotions - but do so with passion, eloquence, strength, power and frustration. The lyrics of these artists are the inspiration for this project.
Those lines become the titles for the new pieces for jazz quartet. The lyrics are chosen on their own merit - no musical elements are used - or even alluded to. This is about a transcendent lyric inspiring an instrumental composition.
These Hours of Confusion, They Will Soon Expire - Ben Folds
When I See You Happy, When You Laugh - Duncan Sheik
This project will - in the end - consist of 8 to 10 new tunes inspired by singers that Scully has been listening to in mass quantities. In addition to the folks mentioned above, lyrics from other artists are being studied and considered for the project. Björk, Beck, Regina Spektor, Imogen Heap and others could be quoted as Scully searches for great, inspiring lyrics.
These Hours of Confusion, They Will Soon Expire - Ben Folds
When I See You Happy, When You Laugh - Duncan Sheik
This project will - in the end - consist of 8 to 10 new tunes inspired by singers that Scully has been listening to in mass quantities. In addition to the folks mentioned above, lyrics from other artists are being studied and considered for the project. Björk, Beck, Regina Spektor, Imogen Heap and others could be quoted as Scully searches for great, inspiring lyrics.
