Pianist/composer/arranger Chuck Owen's multiple Grammy nominations over the last two decades honored his instrumental Jazz Surge Big Band's achievements. Here, through lyrics he's written for several of his compositions—all beautifully interpreted by Kate McGarry—Owen more directly reveals his music's intent. His genre-defying sextet of creative improvisers move freely through his expansive compositions—from urban funk to folk music, swing to contemporary classical—in a manner that is not self-conscious but assured, heartfelt, and deeply musical. With Sara Caswell’s lyrical, sometimes haunting violin, paired with Corey Christiansen’s blues-drenched guitars or Jack Wilkins' expansive sax performance, the group deftly embraces the sonic groundwork of drummers Danny Gottlieb and Matt Wilson along with bassist Mark Neuenschwander and Owen on piano and keys.