Chris Lee, a stalwart of the Portland jazz scene, offers a sonic meditation on his home with Green in Grey. The album, a collaboration with a who’s who of the city's jazz elite – Dan Balmer (guitar), Greg Goebel (piano), Dave Captein (bass), Thomas Barber (trumpet), and John Nastos (woodwinds) – is a work that captures the essence of the Pacific Northwest with verdant, atmospheric sections, as well as dense, complex compositions. The album’s title is a perfect encapsulation of the music. It’s a record that suggests a world both lush and veiled, where the vibrant energy of life coexists with a certain muted melancholy. Lee’s drumming, as always, is the album’s backbone, providing a steady, propulsive force while also allowing ample space for his colleagues to shine. Virtuosity abounds throughout the album, each improviser fleetly navigating the original compositions with ease. Green in Grey at times is a deeply felt exploration of atmosphere and mood. Other times, compositions have intricate rhythmic hits and dense chord changes. On some tunes, it’s music that invites introspection, that encourages listeners to lose themselves in the soundscape. On

others, it keeps the listener on their toes. In a world increasingly dominated by noise and distraction, Green in Grey is a welcome retreat. My second album for PJCE Records is an homage to the people whose music has had the biggest impact on my musical perspective. Particularly, the stable of ECM artists, such as Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Art Lande, Dave Holland, Tomasz Stanko, Enrico Rava, Keith Jarrett, Jan Garbarek, and Eberhard Weber. Some of the pieces are also very rooted to a sense of place. Pawnee Pass is a musical impression of a favorite hike in Colorado where we lived for many years. From the stark beauty of the top of the pass, the sub-Alpine meadows to the forest below. -For K.W. Wanderlust as the name implies, describes that feeling of curiosity as to what’s beyond the horizon. The yearning for, and excitement of venturing into the unknown. -For J.T. The Towers refers to the radio towers in Portland’s west hills. Growing up in Southwest Portland, I would often see them glowing at night, and being a child of the space age, they always appeared very mysterious and futuristic looking to me. -For A.L. Backwards, Forwards. Sometimes you have to go backwards to move forward. -For D.H. Nenelina’s Sister was inspired by a song of Tomasz Stanko entitled Nenelina. Euro Waltz. To my mind, has a very European vibe to it. -For E.R. Angels Of Light -For K.J. Other Side Of Night -For E.R. and J.G. Green In Grey. The title track was written when I was visiting Portland in the winter while still living in Colorado. It reflects the moodiness of the Pacific Northwest in general. Dark green fir trees enshrouded in grey clouds. -For E.W.