David Murray has announced that his new album, Birdly Serenade, will arrive on April 25 via Impulse! Records.
Birdly Serenade, Murray’s Impulse! Records debut, is a collection of new compositions inspired by the original improvisers: birds. Murray has teased two tracks from the album thus far, “Birdly Serenade” featuring vocalist Ekep Nkwelle, and “Capistrano Swallow.” The latter was inspired by time spent in Upstate New York and various birds he’s encountered.
Discussing the title track for Birdly Serenade, Murray said: “The opener is one that features the lyrics and poetry of Francesca Cinelli which inspired the rhythms of the entire album. This collaboration gave me wings to connect to birds and to Randall Poster’s Bird Song Project.”
The track is sung by rising vocalist Ekep Nkwelle. “She is so fresh, and I think she brings a lot to the song and to the lyrics,” Murray says. Nkwelle also sings “Song of the World,” which is dedicated to Indigenous musician and activist Mixashawn Rozie, who happened to be at the residency alongside David and Cinelli. Cinelli herself can be heard on the album’s closer, reciting her poem until she and Murray reach a climactic, cathartic conclusion.
The album marks Murray’s first time recording at the storied Van Gelder Studio and his second recording alongside the all-star trio of pianist Marta Sánchez, bassist Luke Stewart, and drummer Russell Carter, following Francesca, an homage to Francesca Cinelli.
The album is also the latest installment in the Grammy award-winning Birdsong Project, produced by Randall Poster and Stewart Lerman. The project has already featured work by everyone from Yo Yo Ma to Mark Ronson to The Flaming Lips. The Birdsong Project has emerged as one of the most active and influential cultural forces in the world of bird conservation, collaborating with the National Audubon Society and other partners including the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, Obey Giant/Shepard Fairey, The Aspen Center For Environmental Studies, and Two Thirds For The Birds.
