Musician Logan Chan releases Crow in the City Chinese-American instrumentalist and vocalist shares his original music and lyrics in new EP album
Logan Chan
Logan Chan is a Denver-based multi-instrumentalist who celebrates the casual beauty of the everyday with jazz harmonies, breezy vocals, and various R&B, rock and Latin beats. The Chinese-American musician grew up outside of Boulder, where he met the high school and college friends that would play on his first release years later. Chan’s debut EP (extended play) album, “Crow in the City,” contains original songs with retrofuturist effects, distinct horns, introspective lyrics, and live drums. Chan sings in addition to playing electric bass and keys. According to Chan, the title “Crow in the City” was inspired by the crows he saw while looking out his apartment window this past year. He said, “They really inspired me with their low-key charm and beauty. They are highly intelligent creatures who like to do their own thing, unbothered by the hustle and bustle of the city.”
Chan spent his childhood listening to contemporary rock and oldies radio stations in addition to his parents’ Cantopop and Mandopop collection (e.g. Teresa Teng, Anita Mui, and others). After years of studying classical piano, he let the keyboard fall silent while getting his undergraduate degree on the East Coast. After returning to Colorado as an adult, he began learning jazz piano and song composition while jamming with different friends and groups. In 2017, he began organizing small ensembles and playing keys in restaurants and bars around Denver. This EP is the first time that Chan’s musical influences and ideas were worked into original audio recordings and productions. From this audio launching point, Chan hopes to continue releasing new music that spreads good vibes around the Denver community. “Crow in the City” also features BK Kahn, a percussionist who has played and recorded with the finest Front Range jazz musi-
BK Kahn
Credit: Jack Sasson
Listen to Crow in the City at loganchan.bandcamp.com cians, and plays drum kit, tambourine, and shaker. Nicholas Killeen, who, like Kahn is also a CU Boulder Jazz Studies graduate who plays in various Denver ensembles, contributed the tenor saxophone parts. All the songs were recorded and produced by Michael Lenssen, a Denver multi-instrumentalist who has toured as a horns, keys, and electronic wind instrument player. In 2021, Lenssen was credited with programming effects on Maria Schneider’s Grammy award-winning album “Data Lords.” He also contributed keys, trumpet, cornet, and flugelhorn. Michael Lenssen
Chan is happy to be making music with friends from the Denver music scene. He has started playing live again with a local cocktail band called the Carport Jazz Quartet. Follow @LoganChanMusic to stay up to date on the band and upcoming events and hear their music at logan chan.bandcamp.com.
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