Christian Scott released his latest album, Stretch Music, in September. Partially recorded at the Parlor Studio in the Irish Channel, Scott takes contemporary jazz to higher heights with this combination release. The album is both a listening and learning experience, available for purchase as a straightforward album or as an app in the iTunes store. As an app, Stretch Music allows the listener to become the producer by adjusting levels and modifying channels for every instrument. Scott's idea behind this capability is to allow a musician to improvise along at home and put his/her own style into the music though the app also comes with sheet music embedded.

As it was recorded, Stretch Music already comes across as an exercise in layers, even without use of the accompanying app. Adept hornplay flies over fast percussion on many of the songs, with influences from Latin America ("Twin") and brass bands ("West of the West") woven throughout. Scott gets introspective on the winding "Perspectives" and "Tantric." Scott is the nephew of another highly respected jazz musician-- Donald Harrison, Jr. He pays homage to his roots with "Runnin' in the 7s," a track dedicated to Donald's father, Big Chief Donald Harrison.

Scott was born in New Orleans and is a graduate of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. Since going on from NOCCA to graduate from the Berklee College of Music in Boston in just 30 months, Scott has won two Edison Awards and been nominated for a Grammy for his international debut, "Rewind That." Billboard called it “arguably the most remarkable premiere the genre has seen in the last decade." Scott is one of the rare jazz musician that has been able to successfully engage a young audience and be highly innovative. He truly takes contemporary jazz to a new level.

Scott will return to New Orleans for a free concert at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center on December 12. Advance tickets are required and will be available at this link starting November 2.

Stretch Music is available on MP3/app from iTunes and at the App Store, and on Amazon. It is available on CD fron the Louisiana Music Factory.

NOLA.com article on Scott's appearance at this year's Jazz Fest

Scott's recent interview with VICE

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