Bent River Records at MacEwan University is a paradise for musicians and students

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Where once a record label was required to present an artist’s work to the public, the modern digital age has turned that process upside down. Smart labels now serve communities as well as musicians.

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Based at MacEwan University, Bent River Records’ mission statement is to be both a catalyst for artists and a learning lab for students. Since its founding in 2014, the label has released nearly 20 of his albums.

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Bent River is the brainchild of Paul Johnston, head of recording in MacEwan’s music department, and Rose Ginther, associate dean of the art and communications department. Johnston said he moved from Montreal to teach at MacEwan in 2014 and upon arrival saw that he had all the tools he needed to launch his record label.

“We found quite a few[college record labels]in the U.S. and abroad, but at the time there really weren’t any active college record labels in Canada,” says Ginther.

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cutting edge pioneer

Drawing on Johnston’s professional background as an in-demand music producer/engineer and his history of starting record labels, they have made Bent River a welcoming hub for both new and established musicians. , set out to provide learning opportunities for various McEwan students. From recording the music to designing his album artwork and promoting the release, MacEwan’s students are involved in the entire process.

“We decide on projects that are beneficial to students and artists,” Johnston said, adding that the label is careful not to compete with local industries or take jobs away from businesses.

Bent River’s original concept, according to Johnston, was to follow in the footsteps of similar labels such as Nonesuch Records, which releases a variety of music but is primarily a classical music label. His deep ties to the local jazz scene have attracted a wide variety of artists to release music through his River Bent.

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Johnston jokes.

The latest from Bent River is the self-titled debut jazz album pairing of Chandel Rimmer and Tom Van Seters’ Be Kind and Up and Over trio.

Both Rimmer and Van Seters are long-time professors in MacEwan’s music department, and complement each other’s talents for regular fun and productive jam sessions.

“After we had accumulated some familiar repertoire and played together, we started composing music and writing arrangements together,” says Van Seters. “We decided to make the first record (his Stillness Falls in 2018) and after its success decided to make another record.”

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Stillness Falls was a full band act, but Be Kind found them exploring jazz music as a duo, with performances that saw them distill their songs down to just piano and vocals. was required.

“I really fell in love with the work because I realized that the duo combination offered a whole new perspective on music production and collaboration,” Rimmer said.

On Be Kind, Rimmer and Van Seters rearrange the song and put their own spin on it. Drawing on the well of jazz favorites, it applies pop music influences while keeping the arrangements understated.

“The duo setting brings a kind of intimacy to the music, you’re hearing two people interacting,” says Van Seters.

To preserve the album’s intimacy, it was recorded live off the floor of McEwan’s Trifo Theater stage in Allard Hall, at the suggestion of Johnston. With no separation or possibility of overdubs, the Van Seters have stated that they played for an unseen audience, ultimately creating a real, authentic record of their performances.

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Releasing the album via Bent River has been a boon for the duo, and credits the label’s support for helping bring their ideas to the final product.

“This is a way for us to stay connected with the university through our creative work,” says Rimmer.

The Up and Over Trio’s debut album is another new release from Bent River this month. The trio of Chris Andrews (piano), Rubin de Toledo (bass) and Jamie Cooper (drums) are some of Alberta’s most celebrated jazz talents, creating a unique blend of contemporary acoustic jazz.

De Toledo said they formed after realizing they were supporting many of the same jazz artists. We formed and challenged our own music.

“People have been asking us to apply to festivals and gigs, asking if we have any recordings or anything being released. The idea was to record it and release it,” De Toledo said of the album’s opening.

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With all three of them teaching at MacEwan, releasing an album on Bent River was a no-brainer, and the recording was done at the university.

“The great thing about it is that it’s a university and the studio is very much involved in the recording program there, so many students were able to get involved in the process as well. Paul Johnson oversaw the sessions and drove the traffic.” But all sorts of hands-on setting up the mics, how to press buttons, etc. were handled by students who had hands-on experience doing this,” De Toledo says. It’s a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with ensembles and making high-quality, professional recordings.”

Bent River will host an artist showcase at the Yardbird Suite on November 24th, where you can see Rimmer and Van Seters and the Up and Over Trio perform selected tracks from the new album. A physical copy is also available for purchase along with other merchandise.

chuculak@postmedia.com

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Bent River Records 2022 Artist Showcase featuring Chandelle Rimmer and Tom Van Seter, Up and Over Trio

Where Yardbird Suite, 11 Tommy Banks Way

when November 24th at 7pm

tickets By donating from the QR code at the event, the proceeds will be donated to the Student First Campaign