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About
In April 2022, Brooklyn based baritone saxophonist, Jonah Parzen-Johnson, found himself on a flight from New York to Istanbul to play a one-off duo concert with a veteran drummer & sound designer at the center of Istanbul’s vibrant music scene, Berke Can Özcan. They met for the first time 30 minutes before soundcheck. The concert that followed could have been the culmination of years of collaboration. Both urgent and timeless, their musical partnership is instantly solid, innocent and joyful.
It Was Always Time meticulously builds on itself, weaving layers of found-sound samples over acoustic percussion to frame poignant saxophone melodies that melt into rich synth interludes. Although the album is almost completely improvised, the depth of texture and devotion to melody make it feel through-composed. From track to track, each musician places their trust in the other, and as ambition evolves into empathy, the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. This is not a protest album, or music that sets out to directly change the world. Rather, in the subtle way that only art is capable of, the music made by this international duo of strangers turned friends is a reminder: Be curious, find joy, build something better together. It’s time. It was always time.
Jonah Parzen-Johnson makes music for baritone saxophone that challenges listeners with experimental textures & forms while embracing them with warm approachable melodies. A Chicago native and longtime Brooklyn resident, Jonah has performed solo in more than a dozen countries across four continents. His performances are a deeply intimate experience, as he endeavors to share who he is, how he sees our world, and the temporary moments of community that we can all embrace together.
Berke Can Özcan is a musician, producer, performing and recording artist, composer, and songwriter born in Istanbul, now residing in Abu Dhabi. He has toured the globe (Europe, East Africa, Japan and Satsunan Islands, North and South America, Canary Islands, UK) and his recording credits include collaborations with artists like Arve Henriksen, Jonah Parzen-Johnson, Kenny Wollesen, Erland Dahlen, and Jack Irons. His projects range from dance theatre performances like “The Things We Carry” to sound sculpture installations with “Found Sounds”.
Since their first meeting, this duo has been featured across Europe and in the United States. Following an EP raising money for earthquake relief in 2023, the two are proud to release their debut LP on We Jazz Records in November 2024.
Press
“It Was Always Time weaves Parzen-Johnson’s melodies together with synth textures and found sounds into a richly layered and joyful collaboration.“
“An arresting tangle of minimalist electronic drones, rumbling drums and modal jazz sax freakouts.“
“Their shared rapport has led to a frequently tuneful unspooling.” (best albums of 2024)
“Sofisticanti tentativi di fourth world music che da Hassell portano alle vibrazioni contemporanee di Natural Information Society.”
Details
Band Members
Berke Can Özcan – Drums, Samples
Jonah Parzen-Johnson – Baritone Saxophone, Synthesizers
Discography
2024 – It Was Always Time (We Jazz Records)