{"id":2650,"date":"2021-03-21T13:49:36","date_gmt":"2021-03-21T18:49:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/?p=2650"},"modified":"2021-06-21T20:30:04","modified_gmt":"2021-06-22T01:30:04","slug":"max-ribner-1st-language","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/postgenre.org\/staging\/4567\/max-ribner-1st-language\/","title":{"rendered":"Making Contact: Max Ribner\u2019s 1st Language"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Portland-based flugelhorn and trumpet player Max Ribner makes his solo debut with 1st Language <\/em>(Self-release, 2021), a colorful tapestry of groove and texture utilizing over 50 collaborators across multiple continents. Ribner\u2019s warm, articulate trumpet sound sits atop some killer rhythm sections interspersed with the sounds of gospel choir, brass band, and a 12 piece string section – all rendered by first-call New York City engineer Ben Kane, whose extensive resume includes D\u2019angelo\u2019s Black Messiah<\/em> (RCA, 2014), PJ Morton\u2019s Gumbo <\/em>(Morton Record, 2017) and Chris Dave and the Drumhedz\u2019s eponymous debut release (Blue Note, 2018). 1st Language<\/em> is a cry for human connection and a labor of much-needed joy and spiritual enrichment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This album is largely about community, both in content and creation; its recording and release were crowdfunded without the support of a major label. While secular in message, the music is deeply imbued with a devotional, gospel feeling, particularly on tracks like \u201c1st Language,\u201d \u201cHoney,\u201d \u201cYes Please,\u201d and \u201cThank You.\u201d This is thanks in large part to the presence of two architects of the contemporary gospel sound, bassist Sharay Reed and keyboardist\/organist Bobby Sparks II, and luminary Portland vocalists Saeeda Wright and Jarrod Lawson. It\u2019s a very singable record, relying on the development of simple thematic material through a diverse sonic palette, which amounts to a well-curated vision and a project whose variety doesn\u2019t detract from its cohesiveness. What glues it together is the patience, diligence, and scholarship of dues paid from years on the road as a working musician and an ethos of uplift and coming together. Max Ribner sat down with PostGenre to discuss his artistic journey, influences on the trumpet and beyond, the emotionality surrounding our current moment, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PostGenre: As a native East Coaster, what drew you to the west coast after your Berklee years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Max Ribner: When I graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2006, I was flooded with too much technical music in my head and needed to take a breather. So, I moved out west to change my path, learn about who I am, and let the music just run through me. I became active in environmental work with Americorps and then lived on organic farms. I began to look deeper into myself to better understand my emotionality and my connection to the planet and from there embarked upon my journey into songwriting.  This time was a pivotal moment in my life, separating from the modern grind and patiently finding my gifts.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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PG: That part of your story was inspiring, that you turned to community activism took the time to get some life experience before this project started to coalesce.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MR: Yeah, I got into the Peace Corps and was going to go to Africa for two years. I ultimately didn\u2019t go because it didn\u2019t feel right at the time. But my new project does have ties to Ghana, which is pretty unique. We filmed a video there for \u201cNot Free,\u201d which touches both on Black resiliency and some time I spent volunteering, bringing music into jails.  That blink of an eye I spent in the American penitentiary system was heavy, sad\u2026 it brought up some important questions and thoughts on how slavery has merged into the penitentiary system, especially after watching Ava DuVernay\u2019s 2016 documentary 13th <\/em>as well.  This ties to the lyric which I feel is a very important question to ask: \u201chow can I be free if you are not free?\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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