Anick and Yeager: 'Sanctuary'

For most of us, our sanctuary is home, but for many around the world, finding that haven is a challenge. Violinist Jason Anick and pianist Jason Yeager have undertaken a sensitive musical exploration of that human need for a safe space on 'Sanctuary', their second co-led album.

The compositions and arrangements, which include guest musicians, show an evolution since their 2017 debut album together - United. Out just a couple of months ago on Sunnyside Records, Sanctuary includes appearances from Jason Palmer and Billy Buss (both trumpet), Edmar Colón (saxophone), Naseem Alatrash (cello), Greg Loughman (bass) and Mike Connors (drums).

More than half of the tracks on Sanctuary are credited to both musicians and is partly a reflection on the Covid-19 pandemic that interjected lockdowns into the creative process.

Anick says: “We had two goals at the outset of this album. First, we wanted to develop a cohesive music from our shared voices by composing together. Second, we really wanted to reflect the things that were going on in the world around us. The central theme coalesced around sanctuary, because at the end of the day it’s what we're all trying to find.”

Talking about the complex and exciting opening track Futures Past, Yeager muses on the way that the future we imagine for ourselves can change in a moment as the result of present events. “When something catastrophic happens, you're not only losing your present circumstance but you're potentially losing the dreams, hopes and fantasies you had for the future. The tune wrestles with the loss of the futures that now only exist as memories.”

This is much more than 'just' another duo album, with all the tracks making subtle and effective use of other musicians. The album’s sole violin-piano duet, Colorado, co-written by Anick and Rhythm Future Quartet guitarist Max O’Rourke, takes influences from classical and folk compositions alongside the jazz in an intricate interplay between the two musicians.