Music
Press
Former Motet vocalist and percussionist Jans Ingber delivers a surprisingly strong set of modern R&B gems on his debut self-released album. A fine collection of jam players help Ingber articulate a consistent, languid vibe that never rises too far above the surface. But that isn’t really the point of soul music, is it? Featuring Joe Russo from the Duo on drums, the Motet’s Garrett Sayers on bass and Dominic Lalli on sax; Erik Deutsch on piano and helmed by Motet, Zilla, Citizen Cope producer Steven Vidaic, The Offering shimmers with an exotic mix of post-urban jazz filtered into a soft city blues machine.
And consistency is the buzz word for the album because Ingber manages to setup a fairly strong groove that channels acoustic blues through a Marvin Gaye template on the opening track, “All Along,” without sacrificing mood for unnecessary theatrics. On “Gratitude,” keyboardist Greg is able to hold down a tight bottom line on Rhodes while clavinet, trumpet, tenor sax, synths and various colors illuminate rather than suffocate. “Inspiration” engenders a sublime piano phrasing from Deutsch while Russo maintains a fairly compact tone on drums; meanwhile, Ingber appears in the vocal mix like soft candle light in a darkened basement. “Simple Breath” is a well-titled piece which features a clever turn on a basic chord progression by Ingber on acoustic guitar before Vidaic layers subtle shades with multiple keyboard overdubs—a true standout on an album filled with gentle grace. “Dunoo,” which features Ingber on everything from guitar to clavinet to percussion, contains, perhaps, the most inventive spirit on The Offering as Fresh-era Sly Stone circles around Prince and beams out of space into 2007.
Ingber, with a little help from his friends, has crafted a cohesive statement that is quite content to wallow in the waves close to shore, never risking innovation for too much experimentation, erring on the side of exposing a wee bit of the confessional soul instead of misplaced bravado. And that’s what R&B can be in a nutshell but The Offering seeks to…well, offer just a little more by way of some smart mind trips on a peaceful journey. - jambands.com
Discography
"The Offering" 2007
Photos
Bio
Jans started his journey in a log cabin in the woods of Nelson, BC, Canada. He was born to hippie parents who met on a communal traveling school bus and moved to the woods of Canada as part of the "Back to the Land" movement.
At 2 years-old he and his family moved to Eugene, Oregon, a place where counter culture walks side by side with rural living. In his teenage years, when conventional schooling had failed keep his attention, he discovered music as an outlet. In this place, Jans began his search for spirituality and connection through the realm of music.
Jans grew up listening to his parents record collections: Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, King Sunny Ade, Billy Preston, Miriam Makeba, Sly Stone, The Persuations and Al Green......... Music was constantly wafting though the air, and the influences were wide and varied. Soon after high school Jans discovered a culture of music that truly moved him - african folkloric drum and dance. For the next six years he studied the rhythms, dance and song of West Africa. His drive to learn more led him to the countryside of Senegal, Mali, Guinee and Burkina Faso, where he travelled for six months studying with some of the most accomplished drummers and dancers of the region.
His journey to Africa was just the beginning. For the next three years Jans immersed himself in the world of afro-cuban folkloric music, spending his winters in Cuba. HIs most recent travels took him to Brazil, where he soaked in the country's vast musical landscape. About his travels Jans explains, "...I was trying to integrate the feeling of some of the great nature based religions of the world by exploring some of the places where religion, music and ceremony intersect." He continues, "I didn’t come from any specific religion. My parents raised me with a general love of life. So I figured it was my job to go out into the world and find what moved me. I found music. The folkloric music seemed familiar when I sang it. It felt like it was part of me.....There is an undeniable spirit when drumming, song and dance are all part of one whole. I strive to inject this feeling into the music that comes naturally to me."
When Jans came back from his travels he joined the Colorado-based nationally touring act "The Motet". The Motet combined funk and jazz with the traditional drumming of Cuba, Brazil and Africa. Jans toured as lead singer, songwriter and percussionist for the band. During those travels he met, and eventually toured with, jazz great Charlie Hunter. It was through Charlie that Jans met the songstress Norah Jones, singing duets with her in multiple shows.After almost four years of two-hundred shows a year all over the country, Jans left the Motet to record his first release under his own name. "I had such a wonderful experience traveling and making community through music.......It was time for me to step back, take a deep breath and make an album that was intimate and warm." For the next three years Jans engrossed himself in the writing, recording and releasing of "The Offering." Collaborating with Steve Vidaic, keyboardist for international touring act "Citizen Cope", he produced "The Offering" with the intention of creating a piece of work that speaks equally to the heart and the mind.
Charlie Hunter says about him, “Jans Ingber is a musical force to be reckoned with. His affinity for deep soul music, whether it be Donny Hathaway or Los Munequitos de Matanzas, is evident in everything he does. His long years of study and practice, in what some may think of as disparate aesthetics, have created a unique and soulful musical voice.”
"Strength and sensitivity, combined, is a powerful brew. Jans Ingber is an artist truly adept at creating this elixir. Sensitive enough to know when not to push, strong enough to expose the true nature of his heart, Jans creates music with physical, mental and spiritual elements teasing each other into perfect balance."
- Christina Eisert - Boulder Weekly
"I could compare the voice of Jans Ingber to any great Motown singer. With self-assuredness,
His voice storms through..with social commentary.... moving with a heavy dose of soul."
- Technicianonline.com
Jans has had the pleasure to perform with hundreds of musicians all over the states:
Norah Jones, Joshua Redman, George Porter, Charlie Hunter, Stanton Moore, Robert Walter, Karl Denson, John Fishman, Kai Eckhart, Adam Deitch, Ivan Neville, Grace Potter, Jeff Coffin, Jason Marsalis, Nicolas Payton, The Slip, Los Van Van, The String Cheese Incident and many others......
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