The album, souls like birds..., was conceptualized over two years before its release. As we began putting together the concept of a second album, the MIENT DUO decided that it should consist of all original pieces composed specifically for the album. The project began when Brent and Michael reached out to friends and colleagues to solicit commissions. The MIENT DUO were adamant that each composer write their piece, or pieces, with very little restrictions or commentary. We were looking for original compositions, and that is what we received. We are greatly indebted to the kindness, generosity, talent, and mastery of the composers who wrote original pieces for this album. They wrote amazing pieces using creative language, timbres, and registers to create truly unique new works.

We have chosen to use the title from the track “souls like birds…” by Joel Scott Davis. This title is based on a passage from Ezekiel 13:20 from the English Standard Bible: “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against your magic bands with which you hunt the souls like birds, and I will tear them from your arms, and I will let the souls whom you hunt go free, the souls like birds.” The composer has also stated the following: “Though there isn’t a program or narrative for the piece as such, the music is inspired by, and intended in dedication to and solidarity with, the people of Ukraine––past, present, and future.”

MIENT DUO is a group founded by trumpeter Michael Averett and guitarist Brent Ferguson in 2017. The MIENT DUO released their first album, Avalon, in the fall of 2019, and is thrilled to release their second album, souls like birds. . . on Centaur records in the fall of 2022. The MIENT DUO has been featured by multiple community concert organizations, including On-Stage Live and Kansas Public Radio. The MIENT DUO aims to create new music, compositions and arrangements adding to the breadth of the trumpet and guitar repertoire while also entertaining audiences.