Jesse Cook is finally returning to the road on his Tempest II Tour — but first he’s sharing some Solace in the form of his latest single and video, showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Originally earmarked for 2020 in celebration of the 25th anniversary of his acclaimed debut album Tempest, the newly announced run of 18 Canadian shows will span Quebec to B.C. Cook recently kicked off the tour in the U.S. alongside the release of his 11th studio album Libre, a 10-track work that combines his iconic Spanish guitar flair with Algerian multi-instrumentalist Fethi Nadjem, modern trap rhythms and 808 beats.
“I wrote and recorded Libre during the pandemic when, like most people, I was longing for freedom,” Cook shares of Libre. “My music was my escape from the four walls that surrounded me, and the storm that was swirling outside.” The inspiration came from a long summer-day drive with his 14-year old, Cook reveals. “My daughter entertained me with her favourite playlists, much of which were trap and 808-inspired. I loved them too, and a question was planted in my mind: ‘What would my music sound like mixed with those sounds?’ ”
It’s been more than 25 years since the internationally lauded virtuoso first stepped onto the scene with his now-iconic release Tempest. In the time since he’s released 10 gold and platinum studio albums (with combined sales of more than two million copies), five concert DVDs and live discs and five PBS specials. They’ve earned him multiple awards — a Juno win, 11 nominations, three Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, a Gemini and an Acoustic Guitar Magazine Player’s Choice Silver Award.
Watch the video for Solace above, check out the Tempest II Tour dates below, listen to Libre beneath that, and catch Jesse Cook at his website, Facebook and Instagram.
Canadian Tempest II Tour
May 11 – Centennial Hall, London, ON
May 12 – Centre in the Square, Kitchener, ON
May 13 – Meridian Hall, Toronto, ON
May 14 – The Empire Theatre, Belleville, ON
May 15 – National Arts Centre – Southam Hall, Ottawa, ON
June 8 – Salle Louis-Frechette at Grand Theatre de Quebec, Quebec City, QC
July 9 – Maison Symphonique at Place des Arts, Montreal, QC
Sept. 20 – The Port Theatre, Nanaimo, BC
Sept. 21 – The Centre, Vancouver, BC
Sept. 22 – The Clarke Theatre, Mission, BC
Sept. 23 – Key City Theatre, Cranbrook, BC
Sept. 24 – Kelowna Community Theatre, Kelowna, BC
Sept. 25 – Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, Vernon, BC
Sept. 27 – Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary, AB
Sept. 28 – Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton, AB
Sept. 29 – Knox United Church, Saskatoon, SK
Sept. 30 – Knox United Church, Saskatoon, SK
Oct. 1 – Burton Cummings Theatre, Winnipeg, MB
