Janek Gwizdala: Mistery to Me - Live in New York (2005)

Here is a debut album of some distinction that successfully brings together electric and acoustic instrumentation in a set of fascinating if slightly sombre contemporary jazz that provides a setting of rich tone colours for some distinguished solo performances. The controlling mind behind this project is one Janek Gwizdala, a young English musician living and working in New York and he has assembled some quite formidable talent, of whom Mark Turner is probably the most eminent in terms of his star status, to help him achieve his musical objectives. Next to Turner, visibility wise comes John Ellis, whom I’ve recently discovered by listening to Charlie Hunter and I wouldn’t argue against anyone who earmarked him as one of tomorrows frontrunners. The other members of this unusual band are by no means subordinated by these high profile names for the music operates very much as a collective enterprise with no one being particularly showcased and everyone getting an opportunity to demonstrate their talent. Composition credits aren’t given but I wouldn’t mind betting that they all stem from the pen of the leader because they have a sort of stylistic thread running through them. They range from moody arias like the atmospheric title track whose theme is movingly delineated by the triumvirate of Turner, Maret, and Miller and “Time Stands Still”, which utilises the wordless multi tracked singing of Gretchen Parlato, to more abstract but quite accessible post-bop statements that benefit enormously from the orchestrated combination of instrumental sounds and washes. Despite the presence of synthetic sound the music never descends to the level of smooth jazz, thanks to the strength of the solo contributions and Mayer’s masterful drumming which presses into service all available contemporary pulses and applies them with flexibility and intelligence. Apart from Gwizdala, whose playing is new to me, my new talent award must go to another Englishman, Elliot Mason, who is highly effective at the key boards tying everything together with chordal effects and space-age riffs but also doubling to great effect on bass trumpet and trombone playing in the post modern manner we associate with the likes of Ray Anderson. Definitely someone to be watching. Gwizdala himself seems to come out of the Pastorius stable and when he gets some space to solo (most extensively in the final piece) that influence is quite evident, however it is his contribution as a arranger and composer that impresses more than his playing, good as it is, and, without wishing to sound patronising, it augurs well for the future of jazz that music of such sophistication and originality is coming from one so young. The recording is excellent; it is said to be live but apart from one brief introductions episode, which occurs before the last track (I suspect a mix up in the track listings) the audience appear to have been air brushed out because you don’t hear a whisper from them. It doesn’t matter because this isn’t superficial good time music that needs the endorsement of whoops and hollers to help it find its pace and my enjoyment was in no way diminished by the absence of a live atmosphere.

Personnel: Janek Gwizdala (electric bass) Tim Miller (guitar) Jojo Mayer (drums) Gregoire Maret (harmonica) Gretchen Parlato (vocals) Elliot Mason (keys, bass trumpet & trombone) John Ellis (bass clarinet & soprano sax) Mark Turner (tenor sax)

Tracklist:
01. Mystery to Me
02. Why
03. Joshua
04. Darkness
05. Time Stands Still
06. P.K.
07. Circles
08. A.M.S.K.
09. B's Song
10. And Another Thing
Mystery to Me-Live in New York
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Esperanza Spalding: Chamber Music Society (2010)

Centuries ago, long before the advent of radio or recording technology, chamber music was the music for the masses - the music in which people from nearly every segment of society could find meaning and relevance. A decade into the 21st century, Esperanza Spalding - the bassist, vocalist and composer who first appeared on the jazz scene in 2008 - takes a contemporary approach to this once universal form of entertainment with Chamber Music Society.

Backed by drummer Terri Lyne Carrington and pianist Leo Genovese - and inspired by the classical training of her younger years - Esperanza creates a modern chamber music group that combines the spontaneity and intrigue of improvisation with sweet and angular string trio arrangements. The result is a sound that weaves the innovative elements of jazz, folk and world music into the enduring foundations of classical music.

"So much of my early musical experience was spent playing chamber music on the violin, and it's a form of music that I've always loved," says Esperanza. "I was very inspired by a lot of classical music, and chamber music in particular. I'm intrigued by the concept of intimate works that can be played and experienced among friends in an intimate setting. So I decided to create my version of contemporary chamber music, and add one more voice to that rich history."

Chamber Music Society is a place where connoisseurs of classical music and jazz devotees - and fans of other musics as well - can find common ground. The recording offers a chamber music for modern times - one that brings together people of different perspectives and broadens their cultural experience, just as it did in an earlier age.

Esperanza first took the world by storm in 2008 with her self-titled debut recording that spent more than 70 weeks on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart. Two years later, she continues to push the boundaries of jazz and explore the places where it intersects with other genres. Co-produced by Esperanza and Gil Goldstein, Chamber Music Society surrounds Esperanza with a diverse assembly of musicians. At the core are pianist Leo Genovese, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington and percussionist Quintino Cinalli. The string trio is comprised of violinist Entcho Todorov, violist Lois Martin, cellist David Eggar and Gretchen Parlato on voice. The great Milton Nascimento also makes a guest appearance on one track.

This is the work of a brilliant young musical talent who isn't afraid to challenge the limits of jazz and its relationship to other forms of musical expression. Chamber Music Society is the first of two current Esperanza projects. Radio Music Society, set for release in the spring of 2011, features an exciting new repertoire of funk, hip-hop, and rock elements fused into songs that are free from genre. "I'm confident that this music will touch people," she says of Chamber Music Society. "We all want to hear sincerity and originality in music, and anyone can recognize and appreciate when love and truth are transmitted through art. No matter what else has or hasn't been achieved on this recording, those things are definitely a part of this music. Those are the things I really want to deliver."

Tracklist

1. Little Fly 3:33

2. Knowledge Of Good And Evil 7:59

3. Really Very Small 2:44
4. Chacarera 6:40
5. Wild Is The Wind 5:37
6. Apple Blossom 6:02
7. As A Sprout 0:41
8. What A Friend 4:54
9. Winter Sun 6:48
10. Inútil Paisagem 4:38
11. Short And Sweet 5:52 \
Chamber Music Society
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