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Conversations with Justin Chart

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Chart. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Justin, a Trailblazer of the Modern West Coast Free-Jazz Sound, has a unique edge, the vibe is instantly seductive and familiar, he is known in West Coast Jazz circles as “The Blizzard”. Because of his explosive playing and intricate compositional changes.

With a harmonic edge deeply rooted in the jazz lineage, musical expressions stand out as distinctly modern in color and style. A Saxophonist, composer, producer, and vocalist, Justin Chart likes to play by his own rules. He’s a visionary who has learned to listen to inner voice. Steeped in tradition and grounded in the lessons learned from Life, Justin is not afraid to push himself and his art forward. A true Renaissance man reaffirms this credo on his 6th album as a leader and an Innovator. His band’s previous release COLORSTORM is in the iTunes top 10 releases of 2020.

As a composer and producer, Justin has amassed a number of credits, which include composing music for feature films Full Metal Jacket, Born To Race, The Hitman, The House, and Speed Zone. Music for TV shows include Brothers, Take it To The Top, Neighbors, Buck, and Robin Hood for PBS.

He is a highly praised soloist in Los Angeles, rooted in Jazz and Rock, with a musical career that has spanned over four decades, featuring performances and recordings throughout the world. He has amassed well over 11 MILLION Viewers on YouTube.

Justin has performed and/or toured with members of The Pet Shop Boys, Electric Ave, Nancy Sinatra, Material Issue, Jellyfish, Emerald, Johnny Rivers, The Grass Roots, Paul Revere and The Raiders, and The Thrills. His newest project COLORSTORM has been all the buzz. COLORSTORM is an unquenchable Force of Energy and Nature that is forever changing and Reaching out from within.

He is constantly creating opportunities for musicians World Wide to paint a Sound-scape that can only happen with the connection of open minds and open hearts. As of last month, COLORSTORM has generated over 750,000 Viewers on YouTube.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are no overnight success stories for sure.

I just got signed to Universal/Bungalo Records. Last month my first album is due to be released in October, I practice 6 hours a day and it finally paid off to be on the same label with Stanley Clarke,

Ronnie Laws and James Torme, he’s Mel Torme son, and what a voice!

I have played very club and venue in Los Angeles for over 35 years and toured the world with countless others. You can read about it on my website

https://justinchart-colorstorm.live

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
COLORSTORM is my band and we are an unquenchable Force of Energy and Nature.

Forever changing, reaching out from within.

We are a team of truth, giving all who listen the sound that is our soul to create a vibration and self-interpretation in the moment, never to be heard in the same way again.

We paint a Soundscape. That can only happen with the connection of open minds and open hearts. We play without constructs, we are able to share right here and right now with you. Our creations, a Spark of nature enables luminous artists to shine and bring the listener a sound of our Soul.

COLORSTORM is recorded LIVE and in one take in Los Angeles.

A 21st-century jazz consortium consisting of some of the most imaginative musicians based in Los Angeles. Our sound captures the American experience, from cinema to free jazz.

The band COLORSTORM’S recent release consists of group improvisational pieces. The pieces reflect the connection of these artists to each other and their ability to communicate within a spontaneous and ephemeral manner. Their sound draws you into a world of wordless voices that speak truth and launch you into a soul-searching and transcending state.

The Magic is in The Moment.

INTUITION from Universal Music Group/Bungalo Recording Artist ~ Jazz Saxophonist Justin Chart.
            “Justin Chart is an alto-saxophonist who goes his own way. He has an original tone and a quietly emotional style that can be quite atmospheric. His sound would fit in comfortably in the soundtrack of a film noir, evoking dark rainy nights in Los Angeles that are full of intrigue and mystery.
            A veteran of the music scene in Southern California, Justin Chart has composed for a variety of feature films and television shows but is best known as a saxophonist who has played in many different jazz and rock groups during the past few decades. Along the way he has developed his own way to create free jazz, resulting in freely improvised music that, in addition to its cinematic qualities, are painted soundscapes that sound composed even though they are made up on the spot.
            On Intuition, Chart spontaneously created a dozen originals in the studio with his quartet which is comprised of either Chris Potter or an unidentified player simply called Stupendous on piano, Bill Markus or Andrew Hill on bass, and Ian Wurfl or Vince Fosset, Jr. on drums. Every performance on the release is the first and only take of that particular work, and no editing or overdubbing took place after the performance. Unlike some of the high-energy free jazz events of the past, Justin Chart’s music includes melodic themes, chord changes, and very coherent ensembles. The musicians react quickly to each other, swing or set grooves, and blend together, creating music that somehow sounds pre-planned.
            Intuition begins with Justin Chart’s alto introducing the haunting ballad “At 3 A.M,” setting a mood that is carried on during the piano solo. “The Sideral Sound,” which sounds a little like “Work Song,” has the leader improvising over the walking bass. Singer/rapper Know-Madik has a talking vocal on “Didn’t Then I Did” that fits in with the adventurous and hyper piece. A fast bass pattern sets up “Just Like That” which features Chart flying over his sidemen, the pianist playing fairly free with the hard-swinging rhythm section, and is topped off by a melodic drum solo.
            The other improvisations set a variety of moods, from the mournful ballad “Our Hands,” a pair of minor blues (“Always In All Ways” and “Cherry Tonalin”) and the laidback “These Changes Devine” to the funky “Somethin To Say” and the soulful if bleak “Blue Will Get You.” “Diamond Of The Night” is a highlight, starting with the feel of a ragged waltz and including a lyrical statement from the altoist along with a catchy bass pattern and a swinging piano solo. “Pleased After A Day’s Work” seems like the perfect title for the closer for the musicians Chart must have been quite happy with the results of their spontaneous explorations.
            Intuition, which is arguably Justin Chart’s finest recording so far, is filled with intriguing and inventive music that is well worth several close listens.”

Scott Yanow, jazz journalist/historian

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I have no clue where it is going, but you can be sure of one thing I will ride the waves and go where ever it takes me! I plan to have 60 to 75 albums I my discography.

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