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On Northbound to Finch, pianist Maria reflects on her Canadian roots.
On the eve of ten years since she came to New York City from Toronto, pianist Maria Kaushansky is releasing her debut album, Northbound to Finch, featuring original compositions that reflect on her life in the northern metropolis. “Each of us has a special relationship with our hometown,” says Kaushansky. “I am excited to introduce my listeners to my life in Toronto.”
“Finch” was the name of Kaushansky’s subway station in Toronto. Among the tracks, “Windchill -30°” refers to Toronto’s frigid winters; “Four One Six” refers to the city’s area code; “Tangreen Court” was the street Kaushansky’s family lived on when they immigrated to Canada.
The album features Kaushansky’s long-time trio members Paul Gill on bass and the late Anthony Pinciotti on drums.
Since arriving in New York City in 2015, Kaushansky has established herself as a versatile performer and bandleader. She has shared the stage with Paul Gill, Anthony Pinciotti, Cameron Brown, Billy Mintz, Conrad Korsch, and Tony Jefferson, among others. Mentored by the great pianist Harvey Diamond, Kaushansky has developed a unique sound that, grounded in her classical training and enriched by her deep love and exploration of the harmonic language of jazz, values spontaneity above all.
Kaushansky has held long-term residencies at Eventi Hotel’s Back Bar, CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Gotham Restaurant, Le Petit Parisien Supper Club, and Adalya Restaurant, among others. She has had the privilege of performing at some of New York City’s most iconic venues, including The Django Jazz Club, Knickerbocker Bar and Grill, The Flatiron Room, and Nublu.
Kaushansky is also one of the most in-demand ballet accompanists in New York City. She is releasing a companion album, Northbound to Finch—Music for Ballet Class, which features her compositions adapted for ballet exercises.
James Kaplan, the author of 3 Shades of Blue: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and the Lost Empire of Cool, has written: “Northbound to Finch, the album, is a work of nostalgia and farewell, but it’s also one of greeting, announcing the arrival of a bright new talent, moving here and now from the background to the foreground” (excerpt from liner notes).
For more information, please visit Maria’s website at www.mariakaushansky.com
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CREDITS:
Produced by Maria Kaushansky
Recorded at Trading 8s Recording Studio on December 9, 2024 in Paramus NJ
Engineered, Mixed and Mastered by Chris Sulit
Liner notes by James Kaplan
Photography by Mark S. Kornbluth
Graphic Design by Christopher Drukker
TRACK LISTING:
1. Northbound To Finch
2. Windchill-30
3. So Long Centerpoint Mall
4. Last Call At The Green Room
5. Tangreen Court
6. 512 St Clair
7. Prelude
8. Newtonbrook
9. Four One Six
10. Northbound To Finch (Alt Tk)
11. Windchill-30 (Alt Tk)
12. So Long Centerpoint Mall (Alt Tk)
13. Last Call At The Green Room (Alt Tk)
14. Tangreen Court (Alt Tk)
15. 512 St Clair (Alt Tk)
