AARON DIEHL - The Vagabond
Mack Avenue Records: MAC 1153
Aaron Diehl (piano) Paul Sikivie (double bass) Gregory Hutchinson (drums)
Recorded NYC, February 4-6, 2019
Aaron Diehl arrived on the scene in 2013 trailing clouds of glory in the form of multiple awards that recognised his nascent talent, predicting his early elevation into the higher echelons of contemporary jazz celebrity. His debut release for Mack Avenue - `The Bespoke Man’s Narrative` shot up the jazz record charts and I’m proud to say featured in my own personal top ten releases that year; I know a good thing when I hear it.
In this, his third release for the label, he concentrates entirely on trio performances of six of his own elegantly introspective and impressionistic compositions, two jazz inspired arrangements of classical works by Prokofiev and Phillip Glass and a further two pieces by composer/pianists from the jazz heritage, namely Sir Roland Hanna and John Lewis, for whom Diehl displays particular veneration. His eight- minute version of Lewis’s composition `Milano` is an exquisite masterpiece that displays all the felicities of both pianist’s ability to blend with consummate subtlety the characteristics of jazz and classical modes. Aaron’s admiration of Lewis does’nt, however, commit him to a slavish emulation of the spare trademark style that became a striking feature of those wonderful MJQ recordings, his augmented harmonies and flowing arpeggios produce the rather more opulent sound we associate with more romantic stylists. Then again, when he cuts loose on more up-tempo pieces like his own `Magnanimous Disguise`, one detects phrasing that bears traces of Herbie Nichols or even a mild touch of Monk.
The recital closes with a Glass piano etude in which the flowing minimalism of the original conception is infused with a jazz punch that heightens the drama and emotional impact and in which regard the contribution of his trio colleagues is a vital component in its realisation. Having toured with this music for several weeks before taking it into the studio the trio works together with a singularity of purpose that produces a recital of depth and complexity to be savoured like a fine wine, or absorbed like a piece of fine art. A brilliant addition to an increasingly impressive discography.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
Mack Avenue Records: MAC 1153
Aaron Diehl (piano) Paul Sikivie (double bass) Gregory Hutchinson (drums)
Recorded NYC, February 4-6, 2019
Aaron Diehl arrived on the scene in 2013 trailing clouds of glory in the form of multiple awards that recognised his nascent talent, predicting his early elevation into the higher echelons of contemporary jazz celebrity. His debut release for Mack Avenue - `The Bespoke Man’s Narrative` shot up the jazz record charts and I’m proud to say featured in my own personal top ten releases that year; I know a good thing when I hear it.
In this, his third release for the label, he concentrates entirely on trio performances of six of his own elegantly introspective and impressionistic compositions, two jazz inspired arrangements of classical works by Prokofiev and Phillip Glass and a further two pieces by composer/pianists from the jazz heritage, namely Sir Roland Hanna and John Lewis, for whom Diehl displays particular veneration. His eight- minute version of Lewis’s composition `Milano` is an exquisite masterpiece that displays all the felicities of both pianist’s ability to blend with consummate subtlety the characteristics of jazz and classical modes. Aaron’s admiration of Lewis does’nt, however, commit him to a slavish emulation of the spare trademark style that became a striking feature of those wonderful MJQ recordings, his augmented harmonies and flowing arpeggios produce the rather more opulent sound we associate with more romantic stylists. Then again, when he cuts loose on more up-tempo pieces like his own `Magnanimous Disguise`, one detects phrasing that bears traces of Herbie Nichols or even a mild touch of Monk.
The recital closes with a Glass piano etude in which the flowing minimalism of the original conception is infused with a jazz punch that heightens the drama and emotional impact and in which regard the contribution of his trio colleagues is a vital component in its realisation. Having toured with this music for several weeks before taking it into the studio the trio works together with a singularity of purpose that produces a recital of depth and complexity to be savoured like a fine wine, or absorbed like a piece of fine art. A brilliant addition to an increasingly impressive discography.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
