Double bassist Jamie Ousley like many artists searches for a way to "give back" while making a tangible difference in the world with his music. A Sea Of Voices is a release of water-inspired compositions to benefit a not for profit environmental project in his area. Ousley discovered the Sunshine State Interfaith Power and Light organization ( http://www.sunshinestateipl.org/) and putting aside the roll as activist for a brief moment, A Sea Of Voices is a triumph of artistic beauty and grace.
"Hymn Of The Tides" opens the release with Joe Davidian at the piano and charting a daring and imaginative musical course with one of Ousley's own tunes. While there is a unique spiritual quality to an Ousley tune, "How Deep Is The Ocean" is approached with a more spatial concept of the grandeur of the sea and the inspirational qualities that the sea can bring forth. Mixed in this somewhat eclectic set of tunes are the traditional "Shenandoah" which is performed with an elegant and slightly reverent performance. Another traditional "Rocky Top" is lyrically driven post bop exploration by pianist Davidian who plays with an intimate and soulful quality while expressing a delightful melodic sense as the tune develops. Ousley clearly demonstrates the title of "Best South Florida Jazz Musician of 2011" is richly deserved. Ousley's formidable talent as a composer is equally matched by his lyrical prowess as a bassist.
Jamie Ousley is the professor of jazz bass at Florida International University in Miami. Ousley will make you re-think the old saying "those who can do, those that cant teach."
Jamie Ousley can do both!
Tracks: Hymn Of The Tides; How Deep Is The Ocean; Steam; Shenandoah; Rocky Top; Loving Beauty; Swallowed In The Sea; With You; Holy Water; Alfonsina Y El Mar.
Personnel: Jamie Ousley: double bass; Joe Davidian: piano; Austin McMahon: drums; Nanami Morikawa: vocal (Shenandoah); Carlomagno Araya: percussion (Rocky Top & Swallowed In The Sea ); Gabriel Saientz: piano ( Alfonsina).
