Backed by a stellar ensemble of jazz musicians, Andrew Bird pays tribute to the mid-century jazz which helped form him.
On his latest album, Sunday Morning Put-On, Andrew Bird invites listeners on a journey through the Great American Songbook, offering his unique interpretation of timeless classics. Renowned for his mastery as a musician, songwriter, and vocalist, Bird trades saxophones for soulful violin solos, breathing new life into standards by Rodgers & Hart, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Lerner & Loewe, and more.
"In the realm of jazz, we find some of the most transcendent moments in musical history," Bird reflects. "Once I had gained some distance from the era that initially captivated me, I felt compelled to immerse myself in it once more."
Indeed, Sunday Morning Put-On has been brewing within Bird for nearly three decades, a culmination of his artistic evolution that has seen him earn Grammy nominations, carve a niche in indie rock and folk, grace the screens of prestige dramas, compose for Judd Apatow films, and collaborate with a diverse array of artists from Phoebe Bridgers and Fiona Apple to Esperanza Spalding and the Muppets.
While Bird's music has always been a reflection of the contemporary zeitgeist, his new album finds him journeying back to the formative years in his 20s. Nestled in an old apartment-hotel in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, Bird found solace in the strains of late-night radio broadcasts featuring rare 78s of blues, jazz, and gospel. Those nocturnal reveries and morning awakenings have indelibly shaped Bird's musical ethos, both consciously and subliminally, and now, with Ted Poor on drums and Alan Hampton on bass, along with guitarist Jeff Parker and pianist Larry Goldings, he transcends mere nostalgia to push the boundaries of his improvisational prowess.
The synergy between Bird's voice and strings creates an ethereal blend reminiscent of a reed instrument, captured in its raw essence at southern California's legendary Valentine Studios, where the echoes of Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, and the Beach Boys still resonate. The depth of longing in Bird's vocals reaches new heights, offering a clarity of emotion that will resonate profoundly with listeners.