— In the sophisticated landscape of Canadian jazz, few stories resonate with as much profound emotional truth and artistic resilience as that of Kim Kaskiw. A Toronto-born, Ottawa-based vocalist, composer, and trailblazing tuba player, Kaskiw has unveiled her latest album, The Latin Jazz Fusion Project, a work that serves as a vibrant bridge between the worlds of Latin, Jazz, Funk, and Fusion. Drawing from a life defined by music, Kaskiw has crafted a collection that honours the deep lineage of jazz storytelling. This album is a resounding celebration of life’s beauty and the power of perseverance, marking a significant addition to the broader musical world of Latin Jazz fusion.
The history of this record is inextricably linked to Kaskiw’s remarkable journey through a devasting 2020 diagnosis of musicians’ focal dystonia, a neurological condition that threatened her ability to perform. Rather than retreating, she utilized her diagnosis as a creative catalyst, collaborating with tenor saxophonist and arranger Joey Berkley—who also lives with the condition—to craft an album that serves as both a triumph of will and a masterclass in superb musicianship. “My motto has always been: If not now, when?” Kaskiw shares of the recording process. “I wanted to find a way to express myself fully in the studio and cheat dystonia in the process. I think I succeeded!”. The resulting sessions, featuring stellar musicians from Toronto, Ottawa, and New York City, radiate with the warmth of a musician who has turned vulnerability into unshakeable strength.
Central to the album’s brilliance is the new single, “HER”. A piece inspired by legendary vocalist, Nancy Wilson. “Nancy Wilson was my all-time favourite singer and could deliver a song with deadly precision. I wanted to write an impactful song that has a ‘hard right hook’ like how she sang, ‘Guess Who I Saw Today?’” ‘HER’, Kaskiw’s original slow Bossa Nova track, features a haunting harmonica solo by Normand Glaude that elevates the piece to another level of poignancy. Beyond this standout single, the album is punctuated by several essential highlights: the first track, “Come To Me,” showcases Kaskiw’s unique triple-threat talent as a composer, tuba player and powerful vocalist with unlimited vocal range featuring Joey Berkleys tenor sax and arranging; the funky recovery anthem “Rise Up,” which nods to the rhythmic genius of Tower of Power and includes tuba in the horn section; and the intricate “Sol Sista,” a rhythmic tribute to her sister’s 50th birthday utilizing unique time signatures.
Thematically, The Latin Jazz Fusion Project is an expansive exploration of love, loss, and the healing power of the present moment. Through tracks like “Here and Now,” Kaskiw communicates a universal message of empathy and hope, speaking directly to those who have lost a loved one to cancer. “Black Rooster” inspired by a trip to Brazil hearing a crowing rooster all night in minor seconds, or the grateful tribute of “Waltz for JP” dedicated to her musical mentor, JP Allain, the album’s core theme remains constant: the celebration of the human condition through musical expression.
Kaskiw’s all original compositions and lyrics invite the listener into a world of emotional truth, reminding us that music is a steady, powerful force that heals and uplifts.
This album carries immense musical significance as it bridges jazz story telling, delivery and modern, soaringly original Latin Jazz Fusion. Kaskiw not only raises awareness for millions of musicians worldwide who suffer from musicians’ focal dystonia, she raises the human spirit itself. It is an important artistic statement that respects the heritage of the genre while boldly expanding its boundaries through the inclusion of the tuba in a jazz-funk context. The Latin Jazz Fusion Project is a testament to creativity which is the ultimate driver of human expression, even in the face of life’s most profound challenges.