Andrew Dow - electric bass guitar, compositions, poetry, spoken word
Michaël Attias - alto sax
Matt Hull - trumpet
Sumner Thompson - voice
Santiago Leibson - piano
Max Goldman - drums

Andrew Dow is a multidisciplinary artist living in New York City. Bass player, composer, photographer, and videographer, Andrew has long been developing his unique sound and vision on the electric bass guitar alongside some of NYC’s most compelling voices, such as Anna Webber, Michaël Attias, Gregg BelisleChi, Kenny Warren, and JP Schlegelmilch. Inspired by jazz musicians, classical composers, rock music, and songwriters alike, he has been following a singular vision, one that he hopes is felt throughout his first recording as a leader, In Motian.

From our first breath to our last, we’re faced each and every day with navigating an ever-changing world. In Motian is an attempt to acknowledge these daily changes, which we sometimes accept with grace, and sometimes we meet head-on, kicking and screaming. Andrew has composed a beautiful album of personal reflections on time, both lived and lost, individual and collective. A musically poetic weaving of memories, hopes, and dreams, and of our shared human experiences. With this idea in mind, Andrew has chosen a brilliant cast of musicians from his past, as well as some extraordinary recent collaborators.

Andrew has always dreamt of combining his time growing up singing classical music with his more modernistic compositional style rooted in jazz and the avant-garde. With this goal in mind, Andrew knew that his first choice was obvious, his long-time friend Sumner Thompson. Sumner is an award-winning operatic and early music singer and a member of the lauded vocal ensemble Blue Heron. Involving the great Michaël Attias (Paul Motian, Masabumi Kikuchi) was the next obvious choice, having already had Michaël playing saxophone in Andrew’s NYC band Surrender Space. He brings a depth of experience and playfulness to the music that is so singular and integral to the group. Max Goldman (Tony Malaby, Jeff Platz) is a perfect rhythm mate to Andrew on the album, moving seamlessly between playing textures, bombastic free playing, or driving, unapologetic time. His outstanding achievement on the recording is his willingness to leave space throughout, giving the music a clarity not often heard on modern recordings. Speaking of masterfully leaving space, Matt Hull has made doing so his modus operandi in life. Matt has a background in jazz but is well-known as a member of the rock band Really From. His gorgeous sound and patience make for a perfect match to Michaël’s melodic flights of abandon. Finally, Santiago Leibson (Michaël Attias, Matt Palvolka) is one of New York City’s most in-demand piano players. His deep understanding of jazz, with the touch of a classical pianist, made him the perfect candidate for the recording. Santiago is the glue that holds each composition together, weaving between quiet compassion and explosive uproar.

A Personal Note:

Time is at the heart of the album; time and motion. In Motian is a play on words, giving the nod to the great drummer/composer Paul Motian, whose own sense of time and artistic vision has long been a great inspiration of mine. However, In Motian is my own story, the story of my life. It’s the people I’ve met, and the music I’ve lived, learned, and played. Singing classical music through college, playing with great songwriters, and later, all of my experience playing jazz and avant-garde music around Boston and then in New York City. Simply put, this is the debut presentation of my artistic DNA. I genuinely hope that you find something that touches you.