Music Review: “Cygnus X-1” by Jeff Novotny JAZZPRJKT

Jeff Novotny JAZZPRJKT is a Phoenix, AZ-based musician known for composing bold and adventurous jazz fusion. He enriches the music in his own unique way as he mixes different styles like rock, EDM, metal, ska, world music, big band, bebop and swing.

Jeff Novotny JAZZPRJKT

The present release “Cygnus X-1” is a 15-minute instrumental piece inspired by artists like Mr. Bungle, King Crimson, John Zorn, Frank Zappa, Naked City and Animals as Leaders. It’s difficult to categorize the music into a single genre but it can be broadly said to fall under jazz fusion, modern jazz, swing, progressive rock, bebop, big band, stride piano and world music.

The single is titled after a black hole in the center of the galaxy. The sound effects are the main highlight of this piece since it is based on the theme of radio transmissions and other sounds in the space. Jeff Novotny has used some actual radio transmissions, while other sounds are generated using various musical instruments.

Interestingly, Jeff Novotny started working on “Cygnus X-1” as a recomposition of RHCP’s “Breaking the Girl”. However, in the final work, the only trace of this is visible in the starting part of guitar over the pedal tone. The synthesizer parts make use of microtonality. The music is thrilling and unpredictable; it keeps you guessing what comes next.

Stream “Cygnus X-1” on YouTube:

Artist Info

“Cygnus X-1” is produced by Jeff Novotny, and the following artists have contributed in this project:

Jeff Novotny: programming, sound design

Engel Solomon: additional sound design

Jason Kendall: saxophone

Jeff Muzerolle: drums

About Jeff Novotny

Jeff Novotny is a native of Pittsburgh, PA and is now based in Phoenix, AZ. He studied classical music at the University of Pittsburgh and jazz composition at the University of Massachusetts. He holds an M.M. (Master of Music) from the University of Massachusetts. He has composed and produced music for several jazz groups, concert bands and orchestras.

Jeff Novotny’s music has been published in International Piano magazine and also recorded by the German jazz-rock band Panzerballett. His favorite composers include John Zorn, Alfred Schnittke and Richard Wagner. Many of his music compositions lie between developing variation and a through-composed format, which give them a movie-like structure as they progress.

More Info

“Cygnus X-1” is available now on digital platforms. You can stream it on the following channels: