August 19, 2022: Today, Jazz pianist and Steinway Artist Connie Han shares the new single “The Gallû Pursuit” from her upcoming genre-defying album Secrets of Inanna. The track features the renowned bassist John Patitucci. Secrets of Inanna is Han’s third album with Mack Avenue following 2020’s breakthrough Iron Starlet. Throughout the 10 song cycle Han channels the ancient goddess of love, beauty and war on what is her most bold, stunning and ambitious album to date. Pre-save Secrets of Inanna out on September 23rd, HERE.
The modern jazz trio’s performance is inspired and expresses the darkness and intensity of the ‘Pursuit.’ Han shares, “I intended to create a powerful piano trio composition with unorthodox, angular phrasing that was still fluid and thematically cohesive.”
The entire project is inspired by the Sumerian mythology of ancient Mesopotamia, specifically the goddess of love, sensuality, beauty, fertility and also war : Inanna. The epic saga The Descent of Inanna chronicles the goddess’ journey into the underworld from her domain in heaven. Along the way she must confront her older sister Ereshkigal, the Dark Queen of the Underworld, and her own inner darkness; in the process Inanna is killed and reborn as the Morning Star, eventually to be echoed in later tales of Venus, Ishtar and Aphrodite.
According to legend, the Gallû were demons and fierce ghouls that plagued ancient Mesopotamia abducting unfortunate souls to their underworld. Inanna was pursued by the Gallû after being escorted out of the Underworld by Galatura and Kuryara who brought the goddess back to life. Later the goddess manipulates these same demons to do her bidding – pursue and punish Dumuzi, her unfaithful husband.
The album kicked off last month with the release of the sublime “Prima Materia” which features Han’s lush keyboards and an enchanting alto flute and piccolo performance from Katisse Buckingham. The title refers to the primeval elements from which the universe was formed.
Han expounds on her admiration of Inanna, “Beloved by her people as the Queen of Heaven and Earth, she represents a shining beacon of femininity, grace, and poise. This multifaceted goddess is self-assured in her unabashed pride, sexual conquests and audacity. Belligerent and feisty, Inanna stops at nothing to achieve her objectives as a passionate woman with an iron resolve and insatiable lust for power.”
A deity possessing such complex and powerful characteristics deserves an homage that is equally rich and vivid, and Han has more than done her justice with Secrets of Inanna. The music was conceived and written in partnership with the pianist’s longtime producer and drummer, Bill Wysaske, and features bass great John Patitucci and veteran tenor saxophonist Rich Perry, with contributions by Katisse Buckingham on alto flute and piccolo. Deploying just these brilliant musicians in varying configurations and imaginative arrangements, Han and Wysaske conjure a wide spectrum of moods and emotions for their epic journey.
Pre-Save Secrets of Inanna HERE
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