Local Composer and Ex-Tucson High Teacher Unveils New Album: A Journey of Two Lifelong Passions

After a decade marked by three grants, a journey to New York, and personal health challenges, Tucson composer Eric Johnsen has unveiled his debut jazz-fusion album, “Liminality,” released last June. The album represents a culmination of his varied experiences, including a trip that led to emergency heart surgery.

Johnsen, who dedicated 22 years to teaching history at Tucson High Magnet School, holds a degree in music composition. His lifelong passion for music drove him to transition back to this field, having felt content in his teaching role by 2013. “I wanted to do something more,” he explained, contemplating whether to pursue graduate studies or create an album. Ultimately, he chose the latter, viewing the album as a personal dissertation.

With a runtime of one hour and 16 minutes, “Liminality” features an assortment of instruments, including voice, piano, keyboards, guitar, bass, flute, and strings. Johnsen co-produced the album with pianist Doug Martin and Wiley Ross, director of the Haskell Recording Studio at the University of Arizona School of Music. Recording commenced in 2018 at Sear Sound in New York, where Johnsen felt the East Coast would better serve his musical vision.

Upon returning to Tucson, the editing process faced interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which paradoxically opened doors for collaboration with internationally acclaimed musicians. “Musicians were losing all their jobs, and their touring schedules were being canceled,” Johnsen shared, acknowledging how his contacts became accessible for remote recordings during this time.

In 2020, a planned trip to Switzerland to record strings was thwarted by travel restrictions. After negotiations at the airport, they managed to fly to Zurich but faced customs obstacles without a letter from the U.S. embassy. In a moment of desperation, Johnsen revealed the 250-page album score to the customs officers, who were ultimately impressed and allowed him entry.

Days later, while at their hotel, Johnsen experienced severe chest pains, leading to an urgent heart surgery three hours later. This critical moment prompted him to reflect on his project’s significance. “I decided I’ve come too far to let this thing die in the intensive care unit,” he said.

Influenced by musicians such as Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, and the jazz-fusion band Weather Report, Johnsen’s music blends diverse elements. He describes it as moving between ethereal soundscapes and rhythmically driven passages, with inspirations rooted in American, Indian, and Afro-Cuban traditions.

“Liminality” is now part of the Pima County Public Library’s Desert Streams project, aimed at cataloging and streaming local artists’ music. “That’s what makes Tucson diverse,” Johnsen remarked about the unique sound he offers. While performing the album poses challenges due to its improvisational nature and multiple recordings, he aspires to bring it to life on stage one day, embracing the idea of different interpretations.

The album is available as a digital download or CD, and can be streamed on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal.