On Saturday, Jan. 6, the Michael Echaniz Trio takes the stage of The Jazz Station in Eugene, Oregon, for a performance celebrating the release of their debut jazz album, Seven Shades of Violet (Rebiralost), released by Ridgeway Records.
The trio comprises CalArts alum Michael Echaniz (Music MFA 22) on piano and synthesizer, Jeff Denson on bass and vocals, and Dillon Vado on drums. Described as “simply great, challenging music” by Brian Morton of DownBeat Magazine, their album clocks in at more than an hour with nine original compositions and two arrangements drawing from myriad influences, including Basque heritage, mathematics, and history: “Accessibly melodic, rhythmically complex, melancholic, introspective, cathartic, often maximalist, Seven Shades of Violet presents a bold contribution to the futurist, contemporary jazz scene.”
Seven Shades of Violet also features the talents of fellow CalArtian Molly Pease (Music MFA 17) and Danielle Wertz as the album’s main vocalists. The album, described by Echaniz as an undertaking several years in the making, received support from New Music USA’s Creator Development Fund in 2022-23, as well as InterMusicSF’s 2020 Musical Grant Fund.
Listen to Seven Shades of Violet (Rebiralost) below.
