Arthur Vint & Associates Serenade the ‘Copper State’ with a Melodic Love Letter

Arthur Vint’s journey took a significant turn as the COVID-19 pandemic prompted his unexpected return to Tucson, Arizona, the city he once left behind for New York City. His career, once flourishing in the vibrant cultural milieu of Brooklyn, was overshadowed by a project that had lingered in limbo for five years — an album recorded in October 2019. Titled “Copper State,” Vint’s country-jazz blend draws deeply from Arizona’s folklore and landscape, crafted as a love letter during his New York days.

The creative spark for “Copper State” ignited in 2017, as Vint reflected on his roots. “It oddly was after my wife and I had put down roots in New York,” he shared. His wife, Lindsay, originally from Phoenix, fueled his desire to reconnect with the Sonoran landscape. “We bought a piano for the apartment, which served as my muse,” he recalled. This period was not without its challenges; alongside raising a family, Vint was bartending and performing with various jazz and country bands across the city.

Vint’s experiences playing country music in Brooklyn brought a newfound appreciation for the genre’s complexity. “There’s a lot of crossover between the country and jazz scenes in New York,” he noted. He found inspiration at venues like the honky-tonk Skinny Dennis, a tribute to a band member from the past. His collaborations with musicians like Vince Giordano and the Postmodern Jukebox helped solidify his unique fusion of sounds.

The songwriting process began with an exploration of traditional fiddle tunes, which led Vint to experiment with jazz conventions. A memorable moment occurred during a rehearsal, where a chord progression he created bore a striking resemblance to Bob Dylan’s “In The Garden.” “It was a wake-up call,” he admitted with a chuckle. Such inspirations are commonplace in jazz, where new melodies often overlay existing chord structures.

“Copper State” comprises 11 original pieces and two covers that echo Vint’s connections to various Arizona locations. Tracks like “Brewery Gulch,” inspired by his grandmother’s home in Bisbee, and “Phantom Ranch,” a nod to the Grand Canyon, weave personal narratives into the music. Notably, Vint’s composition “Tuzigoot” pays homage to the Verde Valley’s historical significance.

As the album comes to life, Vint has launched Desert Spoon Records, marking a new chapter in his career. “Copper State” will be the label’s inaugural release, aiming to capture the essence of live performances. His album features a collection of talented musicians, including jazz bassist Russell Hall and pianist Danny Fox, blending diverse musical backgrounds into a cohesive sound.

The recording process took place at the renowned Muscle Shoals Sound Studios and involved a dynamic collaborative effort among the musicians. After facing a global pandemic that disrupted the music industry, Vint is excited to finally share “Copper State” with the world. “Now that I am back in Tucson, I need to release it to the world to end a chapter,” he expressed, looking forward to the reception of his work that embodies both his past and present.