Solitude Suite is a composition inspired during the Covid-19 period, undoubtedly fueled by the need for air, sunlight, and vast spaces, which today provides such a joyful recording. It marks the sixth album of original music by saxophonist and composer Scott Marshall. Written for a unique configuration without chords – and performed by Canadian jazz icons Kevin Turcotte, Mike Downes, Terry Clarke, and Marshall himself – the Solitude Suite once again proves that Marshall is one of Canada’s most insightful and creative jazz composers.
As we know, Canadian jazz musicians are often the most inspired, with one foot in Anglo-Saxon and Francophone cultures. Often, they incorporate a bit of both worlds into their art, whether it’s in music, literature, dance, or visual arts. So, it’s natural here to find particularly radiant and inspiring inspirations in terms of musical writing or composition, if you prefer. No unnecessary chatter; the saxophones tell the story, while the other instruments set the scene.
The first half of this suite was composed during the Covid-19 pandemic (a literal solitude). The second half was composed as the world emerged and grappled with the “new normal” (figurative solitude). In jazz music, chordal instruments typically cover the internal harmonies of the music. They handle the middle ground, holding the song together – they play the “buttered notes,” as Miles Davis put it.
The shadow of Miles, yes, from a sixties era in part, and especially in intentions, in the way the instruments are structured in the arrangements, far from be-bop, it’s more about feeling, but strangely this album brings me back to certain albums by Dexter Gordon, circa 1973 with his quartet. There’s something of that in it; this album walks in the footsteps of the greatest, with no pretensions, just out of love, necessity, and emotion, and there’s plenty of emotion in this album. This suite is both a reflection on these solitudes and a musical call for more beauty, hope, and optimism in the world.
Solitude, not only the one caused by Covid, I also see the solitude of the artist facing himself, during creation, or on stage, those magical moments between musicians where communication happens in silence most of the time through looks and, if necessary, through a gesture.
An album that, without seeking to be demonstrative, immediately knows how to make itself indispensable, simply through its sincerity…

Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News

PARIS-MOVE, March 10th 2024

Scott Marshall is a present and future master: he already has his Master's Degree in jazz studies (University of North Texas), and he is emerging as a masterful jazz composer, arranger, and soloist. Based in Toronto, Marshall is busy on the jazz scene there playing gigs as well as composing and arranging for other jazz musicians. In the midst of his regular work, he's self-produced two CD projects: Face It (2002) and now Nine Moments of Time (2007). The latter is comprised entirely of original compositions; Marshall contributed all but one (by pianist Marcel Aucoin). This is a lovely CD, full of interesting and beautiful jazz. The pacing is thoughtful--opening with an up-tempo 8-bar blues, "Cell Phone Blues," to wake you to the talent of this quartet, followed by a walking swinger, "Cool with Rain (January 31st, 2003)," then a light Latin-styled vamp piece, "South Exposure," featuring some very nice drums and percussion by Nick Fraser, then a loping 12-bar blues, "November Blues," and so on. "Peggy Burke" must be--or have been--a beautiful female influence in Marshall's life (real or imagined), judging by the languorous ballad he wrote with her name. The original contributed by pianist Marcel Aucoin, "Speed Dark," is well-titled as a fast modal tune, the kind of song that John Coltrane would have felt at home in, and Marshall certainly covers it well on tenor. "Hymn for Spring," the closing song, is a pretty melody piece; with lyrics and some arranging it could pass as a popular ballad or folk song. Marshall's sound on tenor is smooth and controlled, but without the breathiness common to many tenor players. On soprano sax, which he uses frequently on this record, he has excellent control without any harshness or brittleness. His quartet members play very well together; Fraser's drumming is especially inventive and flexible. Nine Moments of Time is well-crafted jazz art. Marshall's compositions are impressive, the musicianship of the quartet is high, and the overall effect is very good jazz worthy of a spot in your music collection.” - Brian S. Lunde

Jazzreview.com

Scott is a musician who's always working, and he puts out great music! He has released two beautiful cds” - Brad Barker

— 91.1 Jazzfm

The saxophonist leader composed eight of nine cuts here that show off light tones, aptitude for melody and technique mindful of detail. They radiate confidence!” - Geoff Chapman

Toronto Star

This new recording by Scott Marshall should please those listeners who prefer the sounds of early John Coltrane and the hard bop format of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.” - David Fujino

The Live Music Report

Its a great record. The Kind of thing that would have broad demographic appeal to all of CBC Radio” - Mark Rheaume

— CBC Radio

I love the unique sound that they have created with their approach to the trio setting. Scott has presented a beautiful sounding recording that listiners responded to immediately.” - Brad Barker

— 91.1 JazzFM

Catch Scott Marshall when you can, you won't be disappointed.” - Dave Milbourne

Toronto Jazz Magazine

They were in love with what they played and the audience fell in love with it too... The music stays with me. So does the reaction of the attendees... They didn’t care about the technically wonderful performance. They just felt it and responded. That’s what good jazz is all about.” - Elaine Wilson

— The Essa Times

Something for everyone on this venture, up tempo to ballads, well worth adding to your CD collection!” - Dave Milbourne

— Toronto Jazz Magazine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mspo3r-Cg7M