Jacquelyn Schreiber ‘s album Flown isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s a bold statement of artistic transformation and self-discovery. Released after a meticulous three-year production process, this album showcases Schreiber’s extraordinary ability to blend jazz and pop into a unique soundscape that is as intricate as it is engaging.
From the moment you press play, Schreiber’s craftsmanship is evident. Her smooth, versatile vocals and masterful piano playing create a rich, textured sound that is complemented by a range of acoustic and electronic instruments. The album features seven original compositions that highlight her impressive skill set and musical innovation. With contributions from a notable roster of musicians and expert mixing and mastering by Thai Long Ly, Flown delivers a polished yet deeply personal listening experience.
The creation of Flown was deeply intertwined with Jacquelyn Schreiber‘s personal journey through the COVID-19 pandemic. The album reflects her exploration of themes such as liberation and personal transformation, echoing the uncertainties and revelations she encountered during this tumultuous period. The title track, which emerged from a spontaneous studio moment, encapsulates this journey, blending lyrical introspection with a compelling musical narrative.
The album showcases Schreiber’s impressive range and depth. Her vocals and piano playing drive the compositions, which are enriched by a diverse palette of acoustic and electronic instruments. Collaborating with a distinguished group of musicians—including Christian Galvez on bass, Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums, and Christian Moraga on percussion—Jacquelyn Schreiber has created a sound that is both sophisticated and accessible.
The accompanying music video for the title track “Flown,” directed and edited by Luis Zavaleta and shot with a small crew in the stark desert landscapes of Twenty Nine Palms, CA, provides a visual representation of Schreiber’s creative process. It captures her transition from artistic uncertainty to self-realization, using evocative imagery and symbolism to bring the album’s themes to life.
Set against the stark, desolate backdrop of the desert, the video begins with Schreiber seemingly lost in “the end of the world.” This evocative setting symbolizes her initial creative uncertainty and struggles. The turning point arrives when she discovers an astronaut helmet buried in the sand and a keyboard. Donning this helmet and beginning to play a hypnotic piano pattern, Jacquelyn Schreiber symbolically reconnects with her creative voice.
“The beginning of the video finds me lost in the desert at The End of the World. “Stumbling through the darkness/Don’t know what I’ll find.” This represents a sort of creative amnesia, where I can’t seem to remember my creative voice and I am lost in a dry spell. As I begin to search the desert for clues, I discover my Korg Triton keyboard, a projector, laptop and astronaut helmet in the sand.
“Stumbling through the desert/Don’t know what I’ll find.” My memory starts to come back to me as I see my musical gear and I start to play the keyboard and improvise a piano solo. Halfway through the solo, I transition to wearing the astronaut helmet and glowing finger lights to show I have accessed my deepest creativity (symbolized by the closed astronaut helmet).
After the solo ends, I find myself sitting in the dark and watching videos that were found on the projector and laptop. I realize it is the actual studio footage of me and my band members recording this song, and I suddenly remember who I am as an artist and what I have created. “I stumbled through the darkness/Now I see the light.” As the final chorus plays, I soar into new heights and artistic possibilities. It is clear: “This bird has flown.”
Jacquelyn Schreiber
Flown stands as a proof of Jacquelyn Schreiber‘s resilience and artistic vision, offering listeners a deeply personal and richly textured musical experience.
