I Am Not A Virus

I AM NOT A VIRUS from composer Jordan VanHemert and Big Round Records, is a collection of contemporary music uniquely fitting for this unprecedented juncture in human history. Called an “excellent outing” by jazz historian Scott Yanow, the collection of lively, piano-driven jazz band performances takes inspiration from a wide swath of timely subjects—everything from the coronavirus pandemic to racially charged police killings and the resulting Black Lives Matter protests of 2020. Featuring tight horn arrangements and energetic percussion, VanHemert’s compositions are sophisticated yet distinctly approachable. Alongside these original works is his arrangement of the traditional Korean Arirang— through his reharmonization of the Korean melody in an American jazz style, VanHemert meditates on his own Korean-American identity. Compelling music composed with purpose, I AM NOT A VIRUS is a must-listen for 2021—and beyond.

Scott Yanow writes: “For this excellent outing, VanHemert is joined by trumpeter Rob Smith, pianist Lisa Sung, bassist Kazuki Takemura, and drummer Andy Wheelock, performing six of his originals plus his transformation of a traditional Korean melody. While not an overtly political statement, VanHemert takes the current situation (including the pandemic, racist killings by police, and the Black Lives Matter protests) as an inspiration for some of his compositions.”