Gesalul is a Mi’gmaq word meaning love. It’s about the beautiful, passionate, fulfilling, but also ugly and heartbreaking experience one goes through when they truly love something/someone. The voice mixed with the saxes blend to create a sound that is a cross between spiritual and western music. I hope you enjoy our song. Wela’lin (Thank you)

(Written & Arranged by Corey Thomas)
Emily Reuangrith: Voice
Corey Thomas: Bass
Gabi Tome: Electric Guitar
Christina Beaudry-Cardenas: Percussion
Thomas Daudlin: Tenor Sax
Jeremy Sandfelder: Alto Sax
Recorded at Alchemist Studios, Montreal; engineer: Stratsimir Dimitrov, assistant
engineer: Charles Coutu.

Gesalul

“Backwater Township II” is an exploration of the spirit and sound. June 2022, Backwater Township set out to challenge themselves creating music that is vivacious with energy (Amalgat), experimental timbres blending vocals & horns with a natural chorus (Gesalul), and storytelling (Going Out West, Where The River Widens). Backwater Townships new album sets out to challenge the traditional stylistics of this genre and does so in a musically pleasant way. Enjoy the album and listen with an open mind and open heart.

Composed by Corey Thomas Arranged by Backwater Township 
Emily Reuangrith: Voice (Gesalul) 
Corey Thomas: Bass
Gabi Tome: Electric Guitar
Christina Beaudry-Cardenas: Percussion 
Thomas Daudlin: Tenor Sax
Jeremy Sandfelder: Alto Sax
Recorded at Alchemist Studios, Montreal; 
Engineer: Stratsimir Dimitrov,
Assistant Engineer: Charles Coutu.

The End

Going Out West

Gesalul (Love)

Homage to Mildred Bailey, Sarah Paul sings the captivating melody of Georgia On My Mind originally from Hoagy Carmichael. Reminiscent of the era of swing music, Ms. Paul captures the nuance of Baileys aesthetic. 

Band
Alto Sax: Julia Warren 
Ten Sax: Daniel Rom 
Guitar: Olivier Turner
Bass: Corey Thomas
Drums: Vitta Morales

This performance was an excerpt from Jazz Nations. An event to promote the music of First Nations people in the Jazz music genre.

Georgia On My Mind Ft. Sarah Paul

Featuring Aidan Thorne of Vocals, this piece is an original composition from Jim Pepper, a prolific Kaw-Muscogee Native American jazz saxophonist/singer. Aidan Thorne captures the raw energy of Peppers peyote song and delivers a unique performance to the listener. 

Band
Alto Sax: Julia Warren 
Ten Sax: Daniel Rom 
Guitar: Olivier Turner
Bass: Corey Thomas
Drums: Vitta Morales

This performance was an excerpt from Jazz Nations. An event to promote the music of First Nations people in the Jazz music genre.

Witchi Tai To Ft. Aidan Thorne

An original from the great Oscar Pettiford. This track was originally released on his 1955 album Another One. The tune moves at a brisk pace and really challenges the range of the horns. Arrangement by Corey Thomas.

Band
Alto Sax: Julia Warren 
Ten Sax: Daniel Rom 
Guitar: Olivier Turner
Bass: Corey Thomas
Drums: Vitta Morales

This performance was an excerpt from Jazz Nations. An event to promote the music of First Nations people in the Jazz music genre.

Bohemia After Dark

Oscar Pettiford's 1954 hit Tricotism is what I would consider pure Pettiford bop. In this arrangement the bass takes the foreground while the horns play a supporting role, the drums mimic the same dialogue as the bass. I hope you enjoy. 


Band
Alto Sax: Julia Warren 
Ten Sax: Daniel Rom 
Guitar: Olivier Turner
Bass: Corey Thomas
Drums: Vitta Morales

This performance is an excerpt from Jazz Nations. An event to promote the music of First Nations people in the Jazz music genre.

Tricotism

Hell Jazz

The dreamcatcher was used to shape both the structure of the piece was well as inspire the sounds being used. Every sound heard within this piece is sourced back to recordings of beads but altered to make them sound different from the original. Overall, the piece was constructed to give off a dream-like vibe.

DreamCatcher

Backwater Township is a jazz quartet led by Corey Thomas, a talented Mi'gmaq bassist, composer, arranger, and songwriter. Established in 2018, the band was born out of a desire to challenge the elitism and gatekeeping often associated with jazz music. Rather than just a band, Backwater Township is a collective of misfits and outliers determined to carve out their space in the jazz scene.


Their unique sound features a blend of original compositions and arrangements of music by former Indigenous jazz musicians, all crafted with a deep respect for the music's cultural roots. Backwater Township recorded their first self-titled EP in 2018, and followed up with their newest album, Backwater Township II, released in November 2022.


Their captivating performances have graced the stages of several festivals, including Festival Présence Autochtone (2019, 2020, 2022), Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (2019), Sunset on Somerled (2019), and Festival Jazz et Blues de Saguenay (2023). Band leader Corey Thomas' impressive musicianship earned him a nomination for the Oliver Jones Award in 2019.


Backwater Township's music has been featured on major CBC Radio shows, such as Minotan and the Saturday Night Jazz show, and has been included in prominent Spotify curated playlists, like Fresh Finds Jazz and The Jazz Collection.


With their sights set on their follow-up album, Backwater Township continues to delight audiences with their vibrant, lively performances, honing their skills to deliver not only great music but also a memorable experience.

Witchi Tai To Ft. Aidan Thorne

Backwater Township

Related tracks