Blue Jay by Jacob Chen
Blue Jay is a celebration of community, storytelling, and musical collaboration led by multi-instrumentalist Jacob Chen. With a deep-rooted passion for creating music that connects both tradition and personal experience, Blue Jay brings together a rich tapestry of original dance tunes and rounds. Each track is a musical reflection of the stories, experiences, and relationships that have shaped Jacob's life, offering a unique window into the emotional landscape of his creative journey. The album is enriched by a diverse cast of well-known folk musicians, each bringing their own distinctive voices to the project, which molds the path of each set of tunes. From sweet jigs to energetic marches, heartfelt waltzes, and catchy rounds, Blue Jay invites listeners to explore a world of sound that feels both timeless and deeply personal. The spirit of this album cherishes all the connections made through music and dance—past, present, and future.
Tracklist
| 1. | Gilbert's March | 3:31 |
| 2. | Salmon Candy/Long Lines Lambada | 4:33 |
| 3. | Fig for Molly/RJ's | 4:38 |
| 4. | Blue Jay | 5:11 |
| 5. | Rain Round | 2:21 |
| 6. | Boys Book Club/Tzatziki Grapes | 3:45 |
| 7. | Among the Hives | 4:34 |
| 8. | Gridania | 2:51 |
| 9. | Waiting for Snow | 5:18 |
| 10. | Growing Anew | 2:58 |
| 11. | Rain Round (Bonus Classroom Track) | 2:14 |
Credits
Guest Artists:
Armand Aromin (5, 10), ukulele, vocals
Rachel Bell (7), accordion
Sarah Bellows (2, 9), flute
Flannery Brown (5, 10), vocals
Benedict Gagliardi (5, 10), vocals
Casey Murray (3), cello
Ben Schreiber (1, 6), fiddle
Michael Sokolovsky (6), guitar
Molly Tucker (3), fiddle
Cecilia Vacanti (2, 7, 9, 10), fiddle
Jacob's School Students (11), vocals
All tunes composed by Jacob except Track 2 (Ladies at Play)
Artwork: Wesley Mills
Graphic Design: Katie Wonderly
Mixing: Everest Witman
Mastering: Andrea Gobbi
Recorded at Ghost Hit Studios (Springfield, MA), home studios in St. Louis, MO; Providence, RI; Boston, MA; and Norman, OK.
Studio Engineering: Jacob Chen, Ben Schreiber, Armand Aromin, Alan Stockwell, Sam Zakon-Anderson
This album wouldn't be possible without the financial support of many friend and family. Extra thanks to these Super Sponsors for their generous support!
Anya Forger the Dog, Ashlyn Bruns, Chen Family, Ronda Dow, Hui-Min Feng, Carter Fugate, Tingting Gu, Cathy and Eric Haines, Carol Hostler, Amy and Keeley Jo Knous, Sandy Knudson, Jack Alley and Noël Osborn, Joshua Smelser Memorial Fund, Claire Pybas, Jamie Pybas, Junsong Qiu, Melody Summers, Rebekah Valencia, Werner Family, Tracie Whitelaw, Bim and Nancy Wood
License
All rights reserved.
Jacob is a public school music educator, dancer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist. His passion for folk dance and music has led him to be a workshop presenter for educators and a collaborator for folk projects. When he’s not in the classroom or playing music, Jacob enjoys writing tunes, playing board games, baking various breads, and scouting the next piece of colorful fabric to wear.