New Jazz Adds – 11/30/2016
New Jazz Adds – 11/30/2016
Ryan Blotnick – Kush (Songlines): Ryan Blotnik (guitar) has been developing his musical horizons for the past decade. He has shifted direction from post bop to free jazz, mining “…the bittersweet melodic/harmonic vein balanced by an African-influenced rhythmic elan. Conceived as an antidote to the more aggressive forms of New York jazz, Kush offers freshly-minted waltzes, haunting ballads and more than a touch of Frisellian Americana, as well as a variety of grooves combining jazz and African feels.” (ryanblotnick.com) The balance is certainly less frantic, but still stays on the outside harmonically. A significant portion of this disc mixes the melodic aspects with a rhythmic element that seems at odds until the blend is more complete. Musicians include Michael Blake (tenor, soprano sax), Scott Colberg (bass), and RJ Miller (drums) with a guest appearance by Jonny Lam (pedal steel) on one song. The performance can be somewhat challenging, but it is also infectious. Click here and scroll down to listen to the songs on this disc.
Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra – Basically Baker, Volume 2: The Big Band Music Of David Baker (Patois): Here’s a double disc tribute to the music of David Baker, a lifelong educator and big band composer of jazz routed in blues, pop music and bebop. A rising star trombonist by the early 60s, Baker was forced to give up playing because continuous jaw problems from an automobile accident. His response was to turn his full attention to composing and teaching. This set focuses on his compositions from the mid 60s through the mid 70s. Bent Wallarab is the musical director and musicians include Tom Walsh, Bille Sears, Rich Perry, Rob Dixon and Ned Boys (saxophones); Tim Coffman, Freddie Mendoza, Brennan Johns and Rich Dole (trombones); Celeste Holler-Seraphinoff (French horn); Dan Perantoni (tuba); Luke Gillespie (piano); Jeremy Allen (bass); Steve Houghton (drums); Mitch Shiner (vibes); Monika Herzog (celeste); Tony Padlock, Scott Belck, Graham Breedlove, Jeff Conrad, Mark Buselli and Pat Harrison (trumpets); and guest soloists Randy Brecker (trumpet), Wayne Wallace (trombone) and Dave Stryker (guitar). Click here to listen to a sample song from this disc (you’ll have to wait for the track to load).
John Chin – Fifth (Self-produced): As the liner notes explain, the fifth element is the “ether” – the connecting point for understanding, dreams and insights, wonder and epiphany. Perhaps, this is the greatest accomplishment of jazz, where composition and improvisation meet to create a new music. John Chin (piano, Fender Rhodes) seeks that connection in his music. Too mystical? In the company of Stacy Dillard (soprano sax), Tivon Pennicott (tenor sax), Spencer Murphy (bass) and Lawrence Leathers (drums), Chin tackles this particular “a-ha moment” which has been perhaps the greatest gift of jazz. The songs here are composed, but only as frameworks for the group’s interaction and they have created a fascinating set. What do the critics say? “Chin has a confident vulnerability.” (Downbeat Magazine) “As a pianist, Chin is chameleon like: Pointillist and abstract at one junction, gnarly or bluesy at another.” (Hot House Magazine) “It’s not unlike the strange intimacy generated by a huge firework show viewed from afar.” (Wondering Sound) Recommended listening! Click here to listen to a song from this disc. Note that this song is not as rhythmically or sonically diverse as other cuts on the disc.
David Friesen Circle 3 Trio – Triple Exposure (Origin): Bassist David Friesen offers eleven original compositions spanning the spectrum from breezily swinging to delicately flowing ballads. The performances are all exquisitely delivered and engaging. Greg Goebel (piano) and Charlie Doggett (drums) complete the trio and the totality is stirring and lovely. This release is a must for any fan of piano/bass/drums trios. Click here and then click on song titles for this disc to hear samples of the selections on this disc.
Clay Giberson – Pastures (Origin): Composer/keyboard player/educator Clay Giberson has been a busy musician in the northwest and, for this disc, he has gathered a diverse group of musicians to bring variety to the set. He filled out his quartet with Danny McCaslin (tenor and soprano sax, flute), Drew Gress (bass) and Matt Wilson (drums) and added a string quartet on three of the nine selections. The dominant strain of music is post bop. Click here for an introduction.
Erik Jekabson – A Brand New Take (OA2): Erik Jekabson (trumpet/flugelhorn) is a composer, arranger and educator who both fronts his own bands and freelances as well. This is his second release on OA2. Jekabson composed six songs, collaborated with band members on two, and covers “My Funny Valentine” and “Thriller” in unique ways. The other players are Kasey Knudsen (alto sax), Matt Clark (piano), John Wiitala (bass) and Hamir Atwal (drums), with special guests Dave Ellis (tenor sax) and John Gove (trombone). From pop to hard bop, Jekabsen is certainly one to watch. Click here to sample the songs on this disc.
Franklin Kiermyer – Closer To The Sun (Self-produced): Drummer Franklin Kiermyer led this fully improvised recording first by creating or selecting a short improvised pattern that he or another musician played as the basis of a group improvisation with everyone playing in the same undivided room with no retakes. The results were varied, some quite cacophonous while others are pretty harmonious. The frequent association I heard was something like Coltrane’s African passages (without suggesting this might equal Trane). Those who are interested in this style may find it enjoyable. The remaining musicians were Lawrence Clark (tenor sax), Davis Whitfield (piano), and Otto Gardner (bass). Click here to sample the songs on this disc.
Michael Lake – The Electrik Project (Self-produced): Alto trombonist Michael Lake decided this time out he would create a sound design electronically and play his alto trombone as the juxtaposed instrumentation. He acknowledges that this is an unusual jazz form, but counters that he improvises much of the time and found it “…immensely fulfilling to improvise musical lines over these somewhat static yet rich harmonic textures.” Click here and judge for yourself! This is the final song on the disc.
Mamutrio – Primal Existence (Origin): Mamutrio is a union of Lieven Cambre (alto sax), Piet Verbist (bass) and Jesse Dockx (drums). All but one cut is an original and the standard is Richard Rodgers’ “You Are Too Beautiful”. The group really swings and often puts the rhythm right out front. Their interaction is terrific and everyone takes a few leads. The notes on the label website gives the most apt description: “Contemporary jazz with a variety of approaches, from traditional to playful and open, focusing on harmony and melodic interplay in a rhythmic context, challenging and dynamic.” Click here to listen to sample of the opening song.
Jeff Richman – Sizzle (Nefer): Jeff Richman is clearly a talented guitarist and plays with zest and flow. He shows command of both jazz and jazz rock techniques. He also wrote all but one tune on the disc. Generally, the grouping adds bass (Jimmy Haslip), drums (Vinnie Colaiuta or Gergo Borlai) and often keys and programming (George Whitty). In fact, Richmond does some programming himself. There are also a couple of songs with Jeff Beal (trumpet), Taylor Eigsti (piano) or Bob Mintzer (tenor sax) adding yet another sound form. The electric keys do dominate the overall sound at times, however, dampening the potential variety. Nonetheless, there are some very strong moments. Fans of fusion should give it a try. Click here for an introduction from the man himself.
Eri Yamamoto Trio – Life (AUM): This is pianist/composer Eri Yamamoto’s ninth release and it is a gem! She composed all of the songs representing her responses to various aspects of her experiences. Her style is soulful and technically exquisite and the interaction with her bandmates is a beautiful representation of the concept of “trio”. Certainly, bassist David Ambrosio and drummer Ikuo Takeuchi fill a supporting role, but the overall interaction among the three is as lyrical and interactive as it is support and leader. This disc speaks to the head and heart. Click here to listen to samples of the songs on this disc.
Patrick Zimmerli Quartet – Shores Against Silence (Songlines): Tenor saxophonist Patrick Zimmerli recorded these compositions at the beginning of his recording career, about 25 years ago. He states that he was searching for his own voice and new technique that would enable him to fully express his own musical vision. He notes that the jazz would at that time seemed to be divided into two camps: traditionalists true to their heroes and free improvisation where players sought to dismiss formality and structure. He was personally seeking a blend of structure and free improv. This disc encapsulates his early blend of these “stressers”. He generally classifies himself as a composer of contemporary jazz and classical music. The line-up on this disc includes Zimmerli (tenor sax), Kevin Hays (piano), Larry Grenadier (bass), Tom Rainey (drums) and guest percussionist Satoshi Takeishi on one track. Freedom and structure live here. Click here to listen to three selections from this disc.
Kopasetically,
Professor Bebop
