Andrew Van Tassel

The band Van Tassel assembled for Shape-Shifter features budding stars on the NYC jazz scene whom have collaborated with some of the most decorated stars on the scene, including Michael Mayo – voice, Lucas Hahn – piano, Wurlitzer, Alex Goodman – guitar, Rick Rosato – bass, Kush Abadey – drums and Alex Van Gils – live electronics and processing. His previous album, It’s Where You Are (Tone Rogue Records), received international praise from jazz critics and was recognized as a top 10 release by multiple publications. An original composition from the record garnered attention as a recipient of the 2017 ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award.

About Shape-Shifter

2020 has been the most difficult year of my lifetime; I know many can resonate with this. Especially in this year, I’ve learned that there is value in both escapism and confrontation and that we as a society need both to survive. I hope this music will invite you to do both, as it has for me; I hope it lets you escape for a few moments, if that’s what you need. At the same time, I hope it helps you confront change as you’ll hear the sonic characteristics in this album alter. We need confrontation. The world can and will, come back from chaos into a place far better if we reckon with what needs to be changed within ourselves.

The natural world we live in constantly evolves, growing from and fading into different shapes throughout the seasons. Flowers bloom, then whither and find their way back to soil; winds blow their remnants to unknown places, where they might find a landing place to ultimately enrich soil and offer the chance for growth in a new form. Thank goodness our world doesn’t remain stagnant. It evolves. It shifts shape.

Here’s to hoping we can learn to open our hearts and minds to better understand how to open ourselves up for change.

Thanks for listening. We hope it takes you somewhere.

- Andrew Van Tassel