~ Wanted to remark on two exciting new trio records featuring John Patitucci on bass and Brian Blade on drums — both of which, oddly enough, include versions of (or homages to) Coltrane’s “Giant Steps.” The first is Poesía by pianist Edward Simon (Cam Jazz); the second is Patitucci’s own Remembrance (Concord, out on Aug. 4), featuring Joe Lovano on saxophone. Simon’s is of course richer in terms of harmony, and it resounds with influences from the pianist’s native Venezuela. Patitucci’s, on some tracks, incorporates frighteningly good electric bass while preserving an acoustic feel. It’s a more straightforward blowing record than Music We Are, Patitucci’s recent trio disc with Danilo Perez and Jack DeJohnette, which didn’t translate so well to a live setting at the Blue Note in mid-April.
Needless to say, Blade’s drumming on both
Poesía and
Remembrance is key to the music’s openness and consistency. Lovano — interacting with Wayne Shorter’s rhythm section! —handles the material beautifully as well.
~ Also, two quite incredible solo-piano discs by accomplished masters: Fred Hersch Plays Jobim (Sunnyside) and John Hicks’s posthumous I Remember You (HighNote). The sound of Hersch’s recording is unreal — explosively crystal-clear in the highest register, which is where Hersch happens to fire off some of his most gripping runs. Hicks’s moving recital, captured live in Pennsylvania not long before his death, begins and ends with Monk (“Reflections,” “Nutty”). It’s a stirring display of unruffled prowess and imagination.
[Fred Hersch’s trio plays the Vanguard this week, Tuesday through Sunday.
Live webcast on Wednesday night.]
