I am Not A Virus

I Am Not A Virus

Jordan VanHemert Quintet
Jordan VanHemert saxophone
Rob Smith trumpet
Lisa Sung piano
Kazuki Takemura bass
Andy Wheelock drums

Release Date: March 12, 2021
Catalog #: BR8966
Format: Digital
21st Century
Jazz
Piano
Saxophone
Trumpet

I AM NOT A VIRUS from composer Jordan VanHemert and Big Round Records, is a collection of contemporary music uniquely fitting for this unprecedented juncture in human history. Called an “excellent outing” by jazz historian Scott Yanow, the collection of lively, piano-driven jazz band performances takes inspiration from a wide swath of timely subjects—everything from the coronavirus pandemic to racially charged police killings and the resulting Black Lives Matter protests of 2020. Featuring tight horn arrangements and energetic percussion, VanHemert’s compositions are sophisticated yet distinctly approachable. Alongside these original works is his arrangement of the traditional Korean Arirang— through his reharmonization of the Korean melody in an American jazz style, VanHemert meditates on his own Korean-American identity. Compelling music composed with purpose, I AM NOT A VIRUS is a must-listen for 2021—and beyond.

Scott Yanow writes: “For this excellent outing, VanHemert is joined by trumpeter Rob Smith, pianist Lisa Sung, bassist Kazuki Takemura, and drummer Andy Wheelock, performing six of his originals plus his transformation of a traditional Korean melody. While not an overtly political statement, VanHemert takes the current situation (including the pandemic, racist killings by police, and the Black Lives Matter protests) as an inspiration for some of his compositions.”

Listen

Hear the full album on YouTube

"VanHemert's music is far from preachy or even angry. Instead, its reflective nature seams to speak in healing and optimistic terms."

All About Jazz

Track Listing & Credits

# Title Composer Performer
01 The Path Ahead Jordan VanHemert Jordan VanHemert, saxophone; Rob Smith, trumpet; Lisa Sung, piano; Kazuki Takemura, bass; Andy Wheelock, drums 9:28
02 Autumn Song Jordan VanHemert Jordan VanHemert, saxophone; Rob Smith, trumpet; Lisa Sung, piano; Kazuki Takemura, bass; Andy Wheelock, drums 10:10
03 I Am Not a Virus Jordan VanHemert Jordan VanHemert, saxophone; Rob Smith, trumpet; Lisa Sung, piano; Kazuki Takemura, bass; Andy Wheelock, drums 8:42
04 Justice for the Unarmed (Black Lives Matter) Jordan VanHemert Jordan VanHemert, saxophone; Rob Smith, trumpet; Lisa Sung, piano; Kazuki Takemura, bass; Andy Wheelock, drums 7:38
05 The Moment Jordan VanHemert Jordan VanHemert, saxophone; Rob Smith, trumpet; Lisa Sung, piano; Kazuki Takemura, bass; Andy Wheelock, drums 7:35
06 Sea of Tranquility Jordan VanHemert Jordan VanHemert, saxophone; Rob Smith, trumpet; Lisa Sung, piano; Kazuki Takemura, bass; Andy Wheelock, drums 8:26
07 Arirang Interlude Korean traditional, arr. Jordan VanHemert Jordan VanHemert, saxophone; Rob Smith, trumpet; Lisa Sung, piano; Kazuki Takemura, bass; Andy Wheelock, drums 1:29
08 Arirang Korean traditional, arr. Jordan VanHemert Jordan VanHemert, saxophone; Rob Smith, trumpet; Lisa Sung, piano; Kazuki Takemura, bass; Andy Wheelock, drums 7:50

Recorded July 16-17 by Drew Elliot at Hope College Studios in Holland MI

Produced by Jordan VanHemert & Drew Elliot

Mixed by Drew Elliot

Mastered by Rich Breen, Dogmatic Sound

Arirang video shot and edited by McCoy Khamphouy
Justice For the Unarmed video edited by Johan Sung

Photography by McCoy Khamphouy

Executive Producer Bob Lord

Executive A&R Sam Renshaw
A&R Director Brandon MacNeil
A&R Jacob Smith

VP, Audio Production Jeff LeRoy
Audio Director Lucas Paquette

VP, Design & Marketing Brett Picknell
Art Director Ryan Harrison
Design Edward A. Fleming
Publicity Patrick Niland, Sara Warner

Artist Information

jordan vanhemert

Jordan VanHemert

Saxophonist

Dr. Jordan VanHemert is a Michigan-based saxophonist and composer lauded for his skill as a modern jazz improviser. VanHemert’s music—including his new album I AM NOT A VIRUS—is deeply informed by his political consciousness, employing his distinctive compositional voice to address issues of race and social justice.

Notes

I-Am-Not-A-Virus_Notes-1

Photo Credit: McCoy Khamphouy, Koifish Visual Media

The Path Ahead is based on the Wayne Shorter quote “Play and write music the way you want the world to be.” It represents not only how we react to the changes that come with the future but also how we are to move forward with our convictions of creating a better world.

– Jordan VanHemert

Autumn Song is a composition that I wrote to depict the trees outside my office window at Hope College. It is still my favorite season, but this song is symbolic of the simultaneous beauty of the season and the fact that the leaves change because they are preparing to be dormant.

– Jordan VanHemert

The title track I Am Not A Virus is a response to the age of racism against Asian-Americans sparked by COVID-19 and the perpetual foreigner stereotype—that when people look at us, they always see foreigners, no matter how long one has resided in the United States.

– Jordan VanHemert

Justice for the Unarmed (BLM) expresses my anger about the killing of unarmed black individuals, namely George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor.

– Jordan VanHemert

The Moment is about being in the present. Time is precious and fleeting. I felt this expressed in a poem by my friend Herb Tews.

– Jordan VanHemert

Share the Moment by Herbert A. Tews
A single drop of summer rain
A single petal of spring’s first flower.
The scent of Jasmine in the air
Sounds of footsteps in forest glen

A fleeting moment of sunset’s last glow….
Inhale the moment; give it life.
Share the experience and joy with others
Life is meant to share, life is meant to share.
So share these moments; then they will never disappear.

Sea of Tranquility is a composition that. I wrote shortly after seeing the movie Interstellar. I remember thinking about how small and insignificant our human lives are—just a blip on the continuum of eternity. It makes our problems feel so small that the only response is to live in peace and harmony together, which is the emotion I wanted to portray in this composition.

A brief and intimate interlude links Sea of Tranquility with the final track of the album.

– Jordan VanHemert

Arirang expresses what it means to me to be Korean-American. In its jazz reharmonization, the piece is distinctly an American interpretation, yet I have preserved the distinctly Korean melody. The arrangement closes with the saxophone and piano interpreting the melody of 아리랑 Arirang in a much simpler harmonization based on the idea of 한 (Han), or a deep emotion of longing. Not only is this the mood of 아리랑 Arirang, but it is this emotion—difficult to express in Korean or English—which brings the entire album together.

– Jordan VanHemert