North Vancouver-native Darcy James Argue, now based in Brooklyn, New York, was in Winnipeg the last weekend in March for the 2014 JUNO Awards. His album Brooklyn Babylon, recorded with his Secret Society big band, was nominated for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year.
The Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra won the Juno with their Habitat disc but the awards recognition also sheds new light on Argue's recent work.
Brooklyn Babylon, released on New Amsterdam Records, is also available as a limited-edition graphic novel put together with comic book artist Danijel Zezelj.
To coincide with the release of the disc last year Argue and Zezelj collaborated on a four-night multi-media presentation of Brooklyn Babylon as part of the Next Wave Festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The hour-long concerts featured the 18-piece Secret Society band, conducted by Mr. Argue, performing while Zezelj created nearly continuous live animation on a 36-foot long panel.
For more information on Argue and his music visit secretsocietymusic.org.
New CD releases
April 15
Ingrid Michaelson — Lights Out; Jim Byrnes — St. Louis Times; The Afghan Whigs — Do to the Beast; Shonen Knife — Mistakes.
April 22
Kelis — Food; The Pains of Being Pure at Heart — Days Of Abandon.
April 29
Damon Albarn — Everyday Robots; Pixies — Indie Cindy.
May 6
Sarah McLachlan — Shine On; Lykke Li — I Never Learn; Atmosphere — Southsiders.
May 13
The Black Keys — Turn Blue; Owen Pallett — In Conflict; La Sera — Out of the Dawn.
May 20
Archie Bronson Outfit — Wild Crush.
May 27
Sharon Van Etten— Are We There.
June 3
Echo & the Bunnymen — Meteorites.
June 10
Chrissy Hynde— Stockholm.
