Rushing Past Willow comprises solo works for alto, tenor, and bass saxophone, composed and performed by Nick Zoulek.

The pieces were conceived as improvised moments and refined over a decade of performance and reflection, coalescing into a narrative that is set against a solitary willow tree, serene and poised, serving as a totem that bears witness to a story of lost love, compassion, connection, cognition, perception, chaos, and time.

The works included on Rushing Past Willow were composed through idiomatic use of the saxophone, creating a meditative and raw tapestry from  repetition, vocal techniques, circular breathing, unconventional articulation, and spectral exploration. Each piece was recorded using an array of carefully-placed microphones, arranged based on extensive research and experimentation. The array of microphones captured the saxophoneÕs rich textures from a variety of angles and distances. From these perspectives, sound artist Jason Charney assembled an immersive composite of the recorded solo performances.

For more information on Rushing Past Willow, including its narrative, the recording process, resulting collaborations, and more, please visit www.nickzoulek.com


Credits
Primary Artist, Composer, Executive Producer, Recording Engineer, Soloist (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, bass saxophone): Nick Zoulek
Mix Engineer, Recording Engineer, Production Assistant: Jason Charney
Mastering: Mark Bunce
Album Artwork: Tim Zoulek
Graphic Design: Andrew Von Haden, Vontography
Supporting Background Vocals (Arriving Ever Arriving): Hillary LaBonte,
Supporting Choir (Arriving Ever Arriving): Ian Semanovich, Seth Bowser, Brianna Buck, Emma Mills, Chris DeLouis, Logan Hostetler
Innova Director: Philip Blackburn
Operations Director: Chris Campbell
Publicist: Steve McPherson

Recorded at Bowling Green State University Recording Studios??
Kickstarter special donor thanks:
Jackie Bagrowski, Jessica Berndt, Kevin Bylsma, Jason Charney, The Charneys, Myriam Davidovici-Nora, Yohann Davidovici-Nora, Tommy Davis, Chris DeLouis, Brenden Dolehanty, Gordon Fitzell, Kyle Giese, Gavin Goodwin, Billy Gruber, Christine Heslip, Denise James, Jochen McEvoy, Chris Murphy, Adam O'Dell, Andrew Parker, Emily Schultz, Theresa Seidl, Ian Semanovich, Matt Sintchak, Karen Staedler, The Spahrs, Sandra Staniszewski, Karol H. Spencer, Sumner Truax, Jon Waite, Corey Whitt, Helen Tuliene West, Amy Zoulek, Cathy Zoulek, Pete Zoulek, Sue Zoulek,Tim Zoulek

Extended Thanks:Ê
A resounding thank-you to Jason Charney for his extreme hard work, dedication, and friendship. Rushing Past Willow would not exist without his incredible skill and determination.

So many people have come together to make Rushing Past Willow possible. You are all so special to me, and I extend my sincere thanks to each and every person who has been involved with this project, as well as the fans who have supported this music. I'd like to extend a special thanks to those involved on a creative, supportive, and inspirational level: my family, Pete, Sue, Tim, and Amy, the Bowling Green State University Saxophone Studio, Bowling Green State University Recording Services, Jessica Berndt, Michiko Saiki, Erwin Redl, Cody LaPlant, Mauriah Kraker, Josh Simmons, Andrew Von Haden, Mark Bunce, Thomas Beverly, Jacob Kopcienski, Julia Kuhlman, Marilyn Shrude, and my teachers, John Sampen, Jean-Michel Goury, and Matt Sintchak.

1 RUSHING PAST WILLOW 5:22 ?2 ÊRECONSOLIDATE: IN MEMORIES 4:36 ?3 ÊSILHOUETTE OF A STORM-BENT TREE 4:00 ?4 ÊTHESE ROOTS GROWN DEEP 4:01 ?5 ÊHELD WITHIN UNTAMED SPACE 3:14 ?6 ÊAS IT HUNG AROUND HER NECK 4:07 ?7 ÊLEAFLESS, AGAINST THE GRAY SKY 4:34 ?8 ÊCLENCH/NUMBING 3:44 ?9 ÊAMPLITUHEDRON 3:17 ?10 ÊSYMMETRY: IN MEMORIES 5:30 ?11 ÊFROM ALL OF OUR LOVE THIS WAS LOST 3:35 ?12 ÊARRIVING EVER ARRIVING 8:28 ?
RUN TIME 54:28 


For more information on Rushing Past Willow, visit:
www.nickzoulek.com
www.facebook.com/nickzouleksaxophone
www.youtube.com/zouleksax
twitter @nickzoulek
instagram @nickzoulek??Innova is supported by an endowment from the McKnight Foundation.
?Innova is the label of the American Composers Forum.
©Nick Zoulek, Zoulek Publishing, 2016. All Rights Reserved.