Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience – Multiplied by Two (Spotify)
“Soft romantic melancholy, rustling on a percussion background. Multi-level melody and attractive vocals that can stick in memory for a long time. All this creates an unshakable retro atmosphere, when the sky was brighter and the nature greener. Certainly, -Multiplied by Two- deserve some special attention.”
“Лёгкая романтическая меланхолия, шуршащая на фоне перкуссия, многоуровневая мелодия и насыщенный вокал притягивают к себе и оседают в памяти на долгое время. Всё это создаёт атмосферу незыблемого ретро, когда небо было ярче, а трава зеленее. Безусловно, -Multiplied by Two- работа заслуживающая того, чтобы познакомиться с ней и оставить в своём сердце навсегда.”
-Nagamag.com
The Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience is a rare newcomer to traditional pop...fusing a big band spirit with an inventive edge...at once more risky than Buble, more modern than Sinatra. Shaun, an Emmy award-winning crooner (and lead singer of the internationally known vocal group, Tonic Sol-fa) indelibly stamps vocal jazz and swing with a contemporary punch - to the delight of both traditionalists and newcomers - emerging as an original voice in the continuing tradition of the American singer.
www.facebook.com/shaunjohnsonmusic
Shaun shares:
I wanted to write a song inspired by the Andrew Sisters as well as Bing Crosby and dedicated to the idea that one person multiplied by another can seem so much greater than the sum of its two parts. This has definitely been true in my experience. The fantastic harmonies are courtesy of Abigail Flowers who has recently been hailed as "Best Jazz Vocalist" by the Nashville Industry Music Awards. Often, in the Big Band Experience's live performances, I highlight certain musicians or small groups within the band. "Multiplied by Two" is no exception. Aaron Moe plays throughout the tune with an impromptu arrangement on alto saxophone and Dave Stanoch lays back with a one-take, live groove. Both instrumentalists are clinicians, authors and teachers who've stuck with me since I started this musical adventure. I may have to rename the song - "Multiplied by Three." The Big Band Experience set out to offer a taste of a true big band...the style and the pulse, the horn arrangements and the intimate crooners. As a singer-songwriter who appreciates many genres of music, my original compositions can sometimes be all over the proverbial map. Recently, I've been thrilled to find high school jazz vocalists sending me their versions of "Multiplied by Two" - some with an upright bass, others simply a cappella. I'd like to think "Multiplied by Two" may be at home in the feel of the Great American Songbook, and that this is noticed. If so, I've truly succeeded.
Reviewed by Nagamag on September 10, 2021