Crossroad Copeland is the original music project of Montreal guitarist/composer Ben Copland Gilbert. In this project, jazz, metal, and alternative rock are woven together to create music that at times pulverizes, but also sometimes soothes and comforts. The unique way the lineup of voice, trumpet, sax, trombone, guitar, electric bass and drums is used ensures sounds and textures that you’ve rarely heard in jazz before. It is as likely to hear a distorted guitar riff, a virtuosic trumpet solo, or angelic vocals within the project’s repertoire, which ensure an oeuvre that is as diverse as it is homogeneous. The name, as well as being in part the band leader’s middle name, references the harsh modern reality that we are faced with, particularly in the last few years, in which we must constantly cope with life. The world also finds itself at a crossroads in which it must either make extensive changes in the face of environmental destruction, global inequality, and war, or suffer serious consequences. Crossroad Copeland recently released its debut full-length album on January 20th, 2023, entitled “Cope Land”. A second album is already on the way.
Lineup:
Guitar and Compositions: Ben Gilbert
Voice and Synthesizer: Jeanne Laforest
Trumpet: Antoine Tardif
Saxophone/Clarinet: Elisabeth Lajoie
Trombone: Alex Desjardins
Electric Bass: Summer Kodama
Drums: Greg Kustka-Tsimbidis
Social Handles:
Facebook: Crossroadcopeland
YouTube: @crossroadcopeland