Michael Kaeshammer announces new studio album “The Warehouse Sessions” and tour
Music is a great and powerful connector. There’s nothing quite like hearing the palpable and electric connection between musicians in an inspired performance or feeling an intrinsic connection to a song that causes your emotions to take flight. Making that connection happen on his new recording is acclaimed Canadian pianist and singer Michael Kaeshammer with live-off-the-floor performances on his joyful and inspired new album, The Warehouse Sessions, set for worldwide release on October 7, 2022.
A delectable concoction of funky soul, gospel revival, and rollicking boogie-woogie, The Warehouse Sessions showcases the fine-tuned prowess of a trio that has spent countless hours together on stage and off, honing their musical connection. Not wanting that connection to dissipate, Kaeshammer, bassist David Piltch, and drummer Johnny Vidacovich gathered at Bryan Adams’ famed Warehouse Studio in Vancouver to capture their unique symbioses together in more permanent form.
A lost-in-the-moment capture of the multi-JUNO and WCMA winner and his hot trio, the punchy lead-off single “You’ve Got It In Your Soulness” is a lovingly reverent but progressive take on the Les McCann jazz-soul song that first appeared on McCann’s and trumpet player Eddie Harris’ 1969 Grammy-nominated live album Swiss Movement.
“The concept was simple,” reflects Kaeshammer. “Let’s call a tune and then, let’s record it. These are all first takes, loose and energetic.”
That approach has made The Warehouse Sessions a collection that is imbued with immediacy and excitement that’s apparent from the first notes of “You’ve Got It In Your Soulness” through the trio’s engaging takes on other classics like “Ain’t She Sweet,” “Down By The Riverside” and “Bourbon Street Parade.”
All songs that “show a group having so much fun it’s infectious,” says JAZZ.FM91’s Brad Barker, who wrote the album liner notes. “It’s simply three friends finding joy in making music for each other, and we all get to crash the party.”
A mélange of styles masterfully conveyed is a hallmark of Kaeshammer’s versatility and inclusive approach to making music. Throughout decades as a professional performer, first in Germany and then Canada after making Vancouver Island his family home, the double JUNO winner has interwoven elements of classical, jazz, blues, boogie-woogie, stride, and even pop into his signature brand of music.
“When I play, I don’t worry about if it’s jazz or pop or classical or whatever; I just play what I hear and let the music decide what it wants to be,” Kaeshammer explains. “Sure, there are different styles, different eras, different approaches, but when you really look at it, it’s all just music based on 12 notes.”
Sure, you can always distill music down to those 12 simple notes, but the wondrous art you can build them into is the magic. On The Warehouse Sessions and all the music he’s released since his 1996 debut album Blue Keys, Kaeshammer displays his keen handle on creating that art for all of us to enjoy.
Listen to the lead single, “You Got It In Your Soulness,” below, and stay up to date with Michael Kaeshammer via his socials.
Canadian Tour Dates:
November 9, 2022 – deCoste Centre Pictou NS
November 10, 2022 – St. Xavier University Antigonish NS
November 11, 2022 – Le Moulin de la Baie Saulnierville NS
November 12, 2022 – Acadia University Wolfville NS
November 13, 2022 – Chester Playhouse Chester NS
November 16, 2022 – Capitol Theatre Moncton NB
November 17, 2022 – Playhouse Theatre Fredericton NB
November 18, 2022 – Shenkman Art Centre Ottawa ON
November 19, 2022 – Ctr for the Performing Arts Burlington ON
November 20, 2022 – Charles W. Stockey Centre Parry Sound ON
November 22, 2022 – Meaford Art Centre Meaford ON
November 23, 2022 – Wolf Performance Hall London ON
November 24, 2022 – Flato Markham Theatre Markham ON
November 25, 2022 – Grand Theatre Kingston ON
November 26, 2022 – West End Cultural Centre Winnipeg MB
November 27, 2022 – The Bassment Saskatoon SK
November 28, 2022 – Enmax Centre Lethbridge AB
November 30, 2022 – Song Sparrow Hall Salmon Arm BC
December 1, 2022 – Venables Theatre Oliver BC
December 2, 2022 – Performing Arts Centre Vernon BC
December 3, 2022 – Massey Centre New Westminster BC
December 4, 2022 – Kay Meek Theatre Vancouver BC
December 5, 2022 – Mary Winspear Centre Sidney BC
December 6, 2022 – Mary Winspear Centre Sidney BC