Named one of Calgary’s ‘Top 40 Under 40’, YAMAHA Drum Artist and legally blind drummer Karl Schwonik grew up on a farm near Gwynne, Alberta. Early on, he was exposed to a wide range of musical situations ranging from jazz to polka. Still in his 20’s, Schwonik has an extremely active schedule; he has completed over twenty-five substantial tours throughout North America as a leader. In his travels, Schwonik has performed in country barns, world-class jazz clubs and concert halls such as Carnegie Hall and the John F. Kennedy Center.

In demand internationally as both a guest artist and instructor, Schwonik has taught students of all ages at over two hundred educational institutions. He regularly lectures on a broad range of topics in jazz, music business and artists coping with disabilities. Among the many honours, awards and distinctions Schwonik has received are winning the TD Grand Jazz Competition at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta’s Emerging Artist Award, the VSA Arts International Young Soloist Award, the AFM International Diversity Award and the Queen’s Jubilee Award.

Alongside his longtime friend James Davis, together they form Chicago Goes West, a trio with drums, trumpet and bass. ”Western Influence” is a collection of musical stories illustrating the influence of the West dating back to the American Civil War. To Karl, the word western has many manifestations. It brings to mind both the role played by the western states and provinces in shaping early North America (Star of the West, Disunion) and the way the Western hemisphere as we know it today has impacted much of the world (Inward Gaze, Off the Shores). The music on this second album from this amazing young trio shows off co-leaders Karl Schwonik and James Davis each as both musicians, composers, arrangers and soloists. This set of high-energy compositions are on the fringe of modern jazz but are strongly rooted in the tradition.

TRACK LISTING:
1 Blue Monk
2 Calm, With Resolve
3 End of an Era
4 Inward Gaze
5 Star of the West
6 Disunion
7 Afterglow
8 Off the Shores
9 Five Shooter
10 Disunion (Take 2)

Track Listing

• Blue Monk
• Calm, with Resolve
• End of an Era
• Inward Gaze
• Star of the West
• Disunion
• Afterglow
• Off The Shores
• Five Shooter
• Disunion (Take 2)

Additional Details

Label: Chronograph Records

Genre: Jazz

Run Time: 62 mins

Release Date: 09/08/14

UPC: 829982131447