Multi-Platinum/ Gold award-winning and internationally acclaimed producer, composer, and guitarist, Jesse Cook has released his new single, “Updraft“, along with a music video to accompany his previous single, “Oran”.
The two songs arrive ahead of Jesse Cook’s 11th studio album, Libre. Out Friday, December 3rd via Jesse’s own Coach House label imprint, distributed by Outside Music/Redeye, the 10-track album combines Cook’s iconic Spanish guitar flair with Algerian multi-instrumentalist Fethi Nadjem, modern trap rhythms, and 808 beats.
“I wrote and recorded Libre during the pandemic when, like most people, I was longing for freedom,” Cook shares of the new project. “My music was my escape from the four walls that surrounded me, and the storm that was swirling outside.”
The inspiration for Libre came from a long summer-day drive with his 14-year old, Cook reveals. “My daughter entertained me with her favorite playlists, much of which were trap and 808-inspired. I loved them too, and a question was planted in my mind: ‘what would my music sound like mixed with those sounds?’”
He wasn’t short on material to draw from; it’s been more than 25 years since the internationally-lauded virtuoso first stepped onto the scene with his now-iconic release, Tempest. In the time since, he’s come to hold ten Gold and Platinum studio albums with a combined sales of two+ million copies, five concert DVDs and live discs, five PBS specials, and multiple awards — a JUNO win, 11 nominations, three Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, a Gemini, and an Acoustic Guitar Magazine Player’s Choice Silver Award.
Check out the video for “Oran” below.
On top of this, Jesse has also announced his Canadian and U.S. “Tempest II” tour, see dates below.
January 17 – The Port Theatre, Nanaimo, BC
February 22 – Winspear Centre, Edmonton, AB
February 24 – Kelowna Community Theatre, Kelowna, BC
February 25 – The Clarke Theatre, Mission, BC
February 26 – The Centre, Vancouver, BC
March 2 – Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary, AB
March 3 – Knox United Church, Saskatoon, SK
March 4 – Knox United Church, Saskatoon, SK
March 5 – Burton Cummings Theatre, Winnipeg, MB
May 11 – Centennial Hall, London, ON
May 12 – Centre in the Square, London, ON
May 13 – Meridian Hall, Toronto, ON
May 14 – The Empire Theatre, Belleville, ON
May 15 – National Arts Centre, Ottawa, ON
June 8 – Salle Louis-Frechette at the Grand Theatre de Quebec, Quebec City, QC
Be sure to stay up to date with Jesse via his socials.