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Connor Munroe, a high school saxophone player from Miami, unleashed his debut album, Then + Now on Nov. 20.
This past March, Munroe set a goal to record his first album while he was still 17, and he not only produced a timeless art piece, but he did it during a pandemic. From arranging and conducting the music, to coordinating with contributors and venues, to marketing the project, Munroe did it all.
Finding venues that would be willing to host a recording session during COVID was the hardest part, but Munroe eventually found his landing spot recording at the Hit Factory Studio in Miami and remote at the Miami Theater Center.
Then + Now consists of five classic jazz ballads by great American composers, with music orchestrated by Munroe. Munroe also provides us with an inspirational sixth track, This is Dreaming, where he whispers his thoughts while sitting at the piano. The album features Munroe’s signature gentle and soulful sound behind his lush orchestra, which includes a jazz big band, strings, and backup vocalists.
Involving almost 50 total contributors, the project was injected with flavor from across several artistic disciplines, cultures, and genres of music, most of whom are young contemporaries who Munroe met through the South Florida music community.
The entire saxophone section met each other at Palmetto Elementary School, where they were all inspired by Oliver Diez, Miami-Dade Teacher of the Year, to whom the album is dedicated. They can be heard featured as a section on Early Autumn.
“Having taught Adam, Connor, Diego, Ian, and Julian will always be a memorable privilege for my career. My students’ success has always been my inspiration, so this album is an invaluable gift that I will always treasure during my lifetime,” Diez said.
Munroe’s sublime arrangements bring the listener closer to beauty and to the natural world through the subtle use of spiritual instruments such as the Hawaiian Ili’ili river stones, the Peruvian Bombo Legüero drum, and the Indian Bansuri bamboo flute.
Munroe also commonly makes use of key changes to elevate or lower the emotions of his arrangements, a technique that he was inspired to use from listening to Stevie Wonder in particular. With these techniques, Munroe’s arrangements cover a lot of harmonic and cultural ground, enriching the listening and viewing experience.
On Angel Eyes, we get a real treat as Munroe sings, channeling the style of Chet Baker as he switches from voice to saxophone; the recording of Angel Eyes was Munroe’s first time ever singing in public.
In Munroe’s dynamic arrangement of ’Round Midnight, we get a moody and dark melody contrasted by bright and flashy big band shouts, swinging solos, and a fiery drum solo from Miguel Russell.
Munroe’s arrangement of In a Sentimental Mood is infused with an acoustic conga bolero, sounds of flowing water, and a surprising Marvin Gaye-inspired funk ending which conjures the fading rhythms of a distant African village.
The album’s other songs include Early Autumn and Stardust, the later of which being a dreamy arrangement that will awaken the heart of the unromantic; Stardust was a favorite of Munroe’s recently deceased grandfather, and the last song he ever heard.
Munroe didn’t stop with his music — he also oversaw the production of four cinematic music videos, displaying a cool style on stage, contrasted by the warm temperatures of summer in Miami. The Stardust music video is the visual gem of the bunch, featuring Munroe as an actor alongside Harmony Holmquist.
While this is Munroe’s first album, it is not his first musical achievement. He was selected two times for the NAfME All-National Jazz Band, two times for the Jazz Band of America, two times as a National YoungArts winner, and a record six consecutive years for the Florida All-State Jazz Band.
Connor Munroe is a high school senior jazz saxophone player and actor attending Ransom Everglades School, born and raised in Miami. He has been performing jazz since age 9. Since then, Munroe has amassed innumerous awards and has been selected for 12 All-American and All-State jazz bands. Although Munroe plays most woodwinds and sings, he is known for his signature gentle, soulful sound on the tenor saxophone. His cool look and melodic playing style are most reminiscent of Lester Young and Chet Baker. Munroe also enjoys windsurfing and playing tennis.
