Dan Bruce Introduces New Trio Ohm! with Debut Album The Architects
Following two critically praised albums with his ensemble :beta collective, guitarist and composer Dan Bruce unveils his new trio, Ohm!, with the release of their debut album The Architects, out nowon Shifting Paradigm Records. The album is a vibrant journey through funky pockets, jazz/rock fusion, and deep improvisational energy, offering music for listeners who enjoy surprises, bold grooves, and dynamic interplay.
Bruce describes the project as an exploration of contrasts that have long shaped his writing. “I’m always trying to deal with my incredible fear of death amidst my joy for life, and the anxiety it causes me to know that the two are inextricably linked,” he shares. “By including disorder and dissonance in my music alongside the joyous moments, I’m working to accept both as an integral part of the experience. Most of this album is me writing to my ideal side but understanding that the other side is still present. That said, the guiding principle for this album was to groove and have fun.”
A guitarist known for both fiery improvisation and thoughtful composition, Dan Bruce has carved out a distinctive voice on the modern jazz landscape. After spending a decade as a key figure in Chicago’s vibrant jazz scene, Bruce relocated to Cleveland, where he continues to balance performance, teaching, and composing. He has performed on more than fifty albums as a sideman and released four albums as a leader, and has collaborated with prominent artists including Seamus Blake, Ali Jackson, Sean Jones, Dan Wilson, and Marquis Hill. His ensemble :beta collective drew widespread acclaim for its adventurous blend of modern jazz and chamber textures, with All About Jazz praising Bruce’s “generous, accessible sound with an exploratory edge.”
Ohm! features Bruce alongside two of Northeast Ohio’s most in-demand players: bassist Jordan McBride (Orrin Evans, Sean Jones, Roger Humphries) and drummer Gabe Jones (Sean Jones, Howie Smith). Together, they form a power trio that thrives on rhythmic drive, textural variety, and high-level interaction. The group takes its name from both electrical current (Ohm) and the sacred vibration “Om,” symbolizing power, unity, and creation. This spirit is carried into their performances, which often begin with group chanting to foster connection between band and audience. “The most important thing art can be doing in these times is community building,” Bruce explains.
The album’s title track, “The Architects,” sets the tone with intricate written passages that give way to free improvisation—a meditation on building rather than tearing down. A poignant moment occurs as Bruce’s children are heard in the background, underscoring his hope that “we are raising architects” of the future. Pittsburgh saxophonist Jason Kush adds fire to this expansive opener.
“Eh?” offers a playful nod to Bruce’s many Canadian tours and friendships, its recurring A chord inspiring the tongue-in-cheek title. “Ice,” inspired by Gerhard Richter’s abstract paintings of the same name, layers nylon-string guitar as a delicate “ice surface” over vivid melodies carried by bass and voice. Guest vocalist Nadine Douds elevates the track with luminous textures.
“Glimpse” evolves from an unsettled ostinato into a soaring chorus, suggesting a fleeting vision of a more just and peaceful world. “Major_Chord,” composed by producer Nathan Douds, captures both joy and instability through shifting harmonies. The trio approaches the solo section as a collective improvisation, reinforcing their democratic spirit.
“Rare Birds” closes the record with exuberant, groove-heavy fun, bolstered by Reggie Watkins on trombone and Nathan Douds on keyboards. Douds also adds programming to the album’s atmospheric “Incidental” interludes, weaving sonic connective tissue throughout the set.
With The Architects, Dan Bruce’s Ohm! emerges as an exciting new force in modern jazz—groove-driven, adventurous, and deeply human in its embrace of joy, dissonance, and connection.
Track Listing
1. The Architects 5:57
2. Incidentals #2 0:25
3. Eh? 6:07
4. Incidentals #4 0:52
5. Ice 7:57
6. Incidentals #1 0:25
7. Glimpse 8:54
8. Major_Chord 4:14
9. Incidentals #3 0:47
10. Rare Birds 8:20