Inspired by the bestselling Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series of detective novels by Louise Penny; and featuring an impressive cast of Canadian jazzers, Joy is the latest release from Juno Award-winning drummer, composer and bandleader Ernesto Cervini. The stories take place in the fictional Quebec village of Three Pines (the title of the opening track) but knowledge of the novels doesn’t appear integral to enjoyment of the music – if my own case is indicative at any rate: I’d never heard of the books but I was instantly drawn in by the variety and energy of the music.

‘Roar and Havoc’ combines a wonderfully elastic electric bass line from Rich Brown and sumptuous, snaky alto sax work from Luis Deniz; acoustic bassist Artie Roth and saxophonist Kelly Jefferson provide intricate interplay on ‘Lacoste’. There are four vocalists, though featured on just three of the 15 tracks: Felicity Williams, Emilie-Claire Barlow and Amy Cervini (the leader’s sister and co-producer) on the evocative opener and Alex Samaras on the eerie, fragmenting, semi-operatic ‘The Moth’ and providing the almost monastic chant of ‘The Beautiful Mystery’ (the title of one of the novels, about the death of a monk). A highly enjoyable discursive jazz drama.