For those unaware, Aline Homzy is an award-winning violinist and composer. Originally from Montreal, born to a Québécois mom and an American dad with Eastern-European roots, Aline’s original music reflects her culturally-diverse background.

Beyond composing music, Aline is a regular violinist in the studios of Toronto, recording other artists’ original music. Aline is seeked-out for her lightning-fast sight-reading skills, her deep knowledge of jazz and improvisation and her musicality and upbeat personality.

Some artists that she has recorded for include David Occhipinti, Andrew Downing, Iskwé, The Weather Station, Amanda Tosoff and many more. She is also the leader of the string section for SymphRONica (2019 Juno-nominated), Maurizio Guarini’s “A Goblin’s Chamber Music”, De Bouche à oreille – série de spectacles francophone, and many other Toronto-based projects that record and perform in the city.

Recorded with her group Aline’s Étoile Magique, her new recording is entitled éclipse and is due out August 25th, 2023.

Joining her on the album are vibraphonist Michael Davidson (Joe Chambers), guitarist Thom Gill (Knower), Dan Fortin (Bernice) on bass, and Marito Marques (Ivan Lins) on drums, with special guests João Frade on accordion and vocalist Felicity Williams.

All 11 tracks on the album are originals, save for Charlie Parker’s “Segment,” which receives a spacey studio treatment that it fits right in with the rest of the album.

1. Caraway
2. Cosmos
3. Hanakotoba
4. Circa Herself
5. Rose du ciel
6. Alines are Pieces of Wind
7. La belle et l’abeille
8. Mesarthim
9. Starring Space
10. Segment
11. Bientôt, we will collide

This emotively impassioned, heartfelt and generously sumptuous new debut recording opens on the spirited Caraway and then confidently leads us into the smooth Cosmos, before we are brought forth the veritably glistening Hanakotoba, and the rambunctiously playful Circa Herself and the stoically ethereal Rose du ciel.

Along next is the sci-fi imbibed Aliens are Pieces of Wind and the shimmering La belle et l’abeille and they are followed seamlessly by the languishing Mesarthim, the first single from the album, a jazzy instrumental tune entitled Starring Space, the album rounding out on their resplendent rendition of Charlie Parker’s Segment, closing on the decadent Bientôt, we will collide.

“Starring Space provides opportunity for musical conversation-like settings with the rest of the ensemble,” Homzy says. “The song explores an array of folkloric musics enmeshed with a jazz-rooted process of improvisation. It seeks to embrace the nostalgia of a given moment or narrative while inviting the listener to imagine the mysterious worlds beyond the Earth and within each of us.”

The song’s title, says Homzy, “Seeks to harmonize two of the main themes of this album. The first being a complete and all-encompassing awe of the breadth and possibility of space, followed by the experience of the listener as they are encouraged to come along for an uplifting journey, a celebration of improvisation and folkloric rhythmic dialogues. It’s as if each listener is presented with an opportunity to find their own little stars of memory, and the space to paint the night sky with each one as they see fit.”

Musicians:
Aline Homzy - violin, voice, theremin
Michael Davidson - vibraphone, marimba, piano, synth
Marito Marques - percussion and drums
Dan Fortin - bass
Thom Gill - guitars
João Frade - accordion
Felicity Williams - voice

Official Website