With the chaos and craziness of our worn and weary world, if you dig deep enough, there is always a little nugget of good news! Almonte-based Jennifer Noxon has just released her third solo album of original songs called The Gathering. “The project began two years ago, just as we were coming out of COVID. Along with all the things that it threw at us, the ability to gather with like-minded humans, family, and friends became even more precious,” says Noxon adding, “I also feel like the world can always use more positive creative energy and moments in which to pause, especially in these times.”
Several of the original songs on The Gathering reflect our human need to gather in celebration, protest, and gratitude, while pausing in the more challenging moments to explore the nooks and crannies of love, loneliness, longing, and hope. Without one, we wouldn’t have the other.
Having done two previous albums (SWEET, and Watch As You Walk) with multi-instrumentalist and producer/engineer James Stephens of Chelsea, Quebec, Jennifer made the call and the project began. In addition to sharing songs with an audience, recording is the final step in the creative process. “James Stephens has great vision when it comes to arrangements. He knows how to serve a song and has a real gift for tapping into the uniqueness of each artist he works with. He played an integral role in turning the rough songs into polished gems,” says Noxon. But one cannot forget to mention the other musicians who also played an integral role. Local musicians Brendan Gawn (acoustic bass), Rob MacMurray (electric guitar) and Ian Douglas (percussion, the Ragged Flowers), and eastern Ontario/Western Quebec musicians, Jody Benjamin (rubboard), Spencer Evans (clarinet and piano), André Ferraton (drums), Christine Graves (background vocals), Scottie Irving (keyboards), Brian Sanderson (horns, mouth organ), and James Stephens (background vocals, fiddle, electric bass) all add their musical magic and talent to this collection of eleven songs.
Now it’s time to celebrate and share the music with others! There are three album release concerts in the coming months. Joining Jennifer will be a cross-section of the musicians on this album. Here are the details:
Motel Chelsea
- Saturday, March 14
- Show starts at 7:30pm
- A beautiful and intimate venue 15 minutes north of Ottawa.
- Tix now available: https://www.showpass.com/jennifer-noxon-album-release/
- Website: https://www.motelchelsea.com/post/saturday-march-14-jennifer-noxon-album-release-7-30pm
Cedar Hill Schoolhouse
- Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11
- Shows start at 7:30pm
- 270 Cedar Hill Side Rd, Pakenham, ON K0A 2X0
- A beautifully renovated schoolhouse 15 minutes north of Almonte.
Tickets are limited and selling quickly. Available at Ticketsplease.ca
How do you find the music?
Visit jennifernoxon.bandcamp.com
- A free download of the song Sing It Out is now available.
- The complete album and individual tracks are available for listening, purchase and download.
- A six-page lyric booklet with a download code inside is also available to order and will be mailed to you (no CDs or vinyl are available).
- Both of Jennifer’s other albums, Watch As You Walk and Sweet! are also available as downloads or to order as CDs.
