Since their formation in 2007, Blue Cranes have become a key player in the Portland, Oregon creative music/DIY scene and one of the most exciting groups to keep tabs on in the Northwest. They’ve developed a singular musical voice grounded in melody and explosive improvisations - marking off their unique microcosmic territory in “post-jazz” circles. 

Swim is a departure from Blue Cranes' previous, and in some ways simpler, albums. Steered dutifully by producer Nate Query of The Decemberists, it is a window into the sometimes messy emotional space of a group struggling with and celebrating the ephemeralness of life.
“It’s a lot denser than our other records,” says Cunningham. “It’s got this heaviness to it, and a lot of dissonance. I think we were all sort of okay with that because of how we were feeling. It’s dark, but it’s not all dark.” “It's an imprint of that time,” adds Sanborn. “Just as our new works in progress are marked by who we are now.”

PERSONNEL:

REED WALLSMITH, alto sax
JOE CUNNINGHAM, tenor sax
REBECCA SANBORN, keyboard
KEITH BRUSHM, bass
JI TANZER, drums

TRACKS:
01. Beautiful Winners
02. Everything Is Going To Be Okay
03. Cass Corridor
04. Polarnatt
05. Great Dane Small Horse
06. Soldier
07. For Chris
08. Painted Birds
09. Goldfinches