Artist Spotlight: Brian Claxton Releases New Album "Here Goes Nothing"
During the latest Artist Spotlight on January 13, Evening Jazz host Paul Donovan spoke with award-winning Denver multi-instrumentalist Brian Claxton about Claxton's newest album, which released the following day.
Known primarily for his drumming, Claxton shows off an impressive finesse while playing bass for his second release as a leader. Here Goes Nothing is a celebration of groove, melody, and exploration in a new dimension of Claxton's musical vision.
This album, like his last (When I Get Home), is truly an all-star affair. Jim White played drums and produced the project, Steve Kovalcheck played guitar, Eric Gunnison played piano and keys, and Tom Amend played organ and woodwinds.
The album features all original compositions by Claxton inspired by the ups and down of his own life. It opens with a musical tribute to his mother, who passed away in February of 2024. Titled "Dance to the Bass Drum (Not the Bass)," the line is advice Claxton's mother once gave him for finding his groove on the dance floor. The second song, "A Story and it's Ending" is an homage to his sister, who passed much too soon to suicide. The album continues in this fashion with songs paying homage to Claxton's sons, his wife, his niece, his father, and culminates with "There Is Always Beauty," a musical reminder that we don't need to let tragedy or strife dictate our own story.
"In this season of life, I've been reflecting deeply on life and death; future and past. I watch both of my sons finding themselves in the world while thinking about my parents and my own childhood. My older sister often comes to mind, who passed away when she was sixteen and I was only fourteen, and had a daughter of her own who is now 25. The music for this project really grew out of this current season - chaos, life, death, sadness, joy, gratitude, hope, love, future, and past. All of it," —Claxton wrote in an email.
With a compelling story and mesmerizing performances from an exceptional band "Here Goes Nothing" is truly a notable mark on Claxton's musical journey.
Photography credit: Tosh Jackson, Radio Program Director and Multimedia Producer
Stay connected to KUVO’s programs and our community! Sign up for the Oasis E-News today!
