On the weekend of April 10, the gorgeous acoustics of the Cedar Hill Schoolhouse will resonate with the new music of Almonte-based Jennifer Noxon and her musical friends, celebrating the release of The Gathering, an album of eleven original songs. The first two shows (April 10 and 11) have sold out, but tickets remain for the Sunday afternoon matinée at 2pm, available at TicketsPlease.ca.
“If you dig deep enough, amidst the chaos and craziness of our worn and weary world, there is always a little nugget of good news,” says Noxon. The project began two years ago as we emerged from COVID, when gathering with like-minded people, family, and friends felt more precious than ever. “The world can always use more positive creative energy and moments in which to pause and reflect. Art, in all its forms, is a reflection of our humanity.”
Described as contemporary folk, the songs on The Gathering reflect our need to come together in celebration, protest, love, and gratitude. Others explore more difficult terrain — loneliness, longing, and hope — reminding us that light and shadow coexist.
Noxon again teamed up with multi-instrumentalist and producer/engineer James Stephens of Chelsea, Quebec, who helped shape the songs from rough sketches into finished recordings. The album also features a wide circle of musicians, including local players Brendan Gawn (acoustic bass), Rob MacMurray (electric guitar), and Ian Douglas (percussion), alongside eastern Ontario/Western Quebec artists Jody Benjamin (rubboard), Spencer Evans (clarinet and piano), André Ferraton (drums), Christine Graves (background vocals), Scottie Irving (keyboards), Brian Sanderson (horns, mouth organ), and Stephens (background vocals, fiddle, electric bass).
More celebrations are coming: three album release concerts are planned in the coming months, locally and further afield, including a show at Motel Chelsea on March 14. A rotating cross-section of album musicians will join Noxon on stage.
To hear the music, visit jennifernoxon.bandcamp.com, where a free download of Sing It Out is available. The Gathering and all eleven tracks can be streamed, purchased, and downloaded. A six-page lyric booklet with a download code is also available to order (no CDs or vinyl). Noxon’s previous albums, Watch as You Walk and Sweet, are available as downloads or CDs.