Matt Pocock

Jazz pianist, vocalist, and composer Ariel Pocock’s enthralling second album "Living in Twilight" was recorded in Montréal with producer Matt Pierson at the helm. Ariel teams up with in demand Montréal musicians Jim Doxas (drums) and Adrian Vedady (bass) and special guest, New York based guitarist, Chico Pinheiro. The song selection is original, thoughtful and surprising. Ranging from classic American Songbook fare - Ray Noble’s "The Very Thought Of You" and Cole Porter’s "So In Love" to Chick Corea’s "500 Miles" and breathtaking interpretations of Adele’s "Someone Like You" and Sufjan Stevens "To Be Alone With You" presented here as an instrumental. Other stand outs include the title track by The Weepies, "Living in Twilight" and the heartbreaking Kate McGarrigle penned "Go Leave". Ariel’s chops are also on display with original’s "Gonzalo’s Melody" – and the reflective "So Long".

What are the touchstones of jazz? Harmonic acuity? Internalization of swing aesthetics and advanced rhythmic language(s)? The ability to quickly parse a composition in real time? An understanding of the historical framework of the music? The ability to create and speak one's own mind using any number of vocabulary sets? Yes. Each of those elements are touchstones in jazz, but they're meaningless when viewed separately. Jazz requires musicians to synthesize all of those skills and more while finding something meaningful to say in the process. Ariel Pocock does just that on this, her debut album.

Jazz pianist, vocalist, and composer Ariel Pocock’s enthralling second album Living in Twilight was recorded in Montréal with producer Matt Pierson at the helm. Ariel teams up with in demand Montréal musicians Jim Doxas (drums) and Adrian Vedady (bass) and special guest, New York based guitarist, Chico Pinheiro.