NOAH HAIDU - Slowly: Song For Keith Jarrett
Sunnyside Communications: SSC 1596
Noah Haidu (piano) Buster Williams (bass) Billy Hart (drums)
Recorded in New York, November 21st &22nd 2020
Noah Haidu is a 48-year-old New York based pianist and composer of burgeoning reputation who in the space of four or five well received releases under his own name and numerous sideman contributions has established himself as an important individual voice. Adept in the construction of novel thematic material and the intriguing re-arrangement of standard fare which he interrogates with stimulating extemporary flair and invests with impressionistic delicacy he is joined in his latest project by two of jazz music’s most eminent seniors who also contribute original material to the playlist.
Whilst planning the recording Haidu learned of Keith Jarrett’s debilitating illness and enforced retirement. Recalling his late father’s enthusiasm for Jarrett’s music, and the concerts they had attended together, Haidu decided to dedicate the album to what had become an important source of inspiration and though there is little direct reference to Jarrett’s original material other than the waltz `Rainbow` , the music is infused with his contemplative spirit and airy ebullience, the plangent title track referencing his solo piano performances and the joyful gospel inflected `Keith Jarrett` reminiscent of pieces like the final movement of the `Koln Concert` Both these are originals by Haidu and no less impressive are those by Williams and Hart, the former opening the set with `Air Dancing`, a thing of floating chords and quicksilver flourishes emerging from a four note descending motif, with Billy Hart contributing a piece bearing the name of the Spanish poet `Lorca` which resonates with that mysterious Iberian quality known as `duende`.
Jarrett’s famous `standards trio` repertoire is represented by exquisite versions of three `songbook` staples: `What a Difference a Day Makes` is taken at a relaxed easy going tempo with the smooth burnish of Buster’s bass gliding through the harmonic spaces caressed by Hart’ masterful command of the cymbals. A stately reading of Hoagy Carmichael’s `Georgia` acquires a block chorded gravitas and the session ends with an affectingly unadorned rendering of `But Beautiful`, the improvised narrative gently emerging from the measured theme statement and leading to another glowing bass solo.
The Jarrett legacy is most ably commemorated by this release without submerging the individuality of the participants who in a combination of freshly minted inspiration and a wealth of time honed experience and technique have honoured a talent that sadly we are unlikely to hear again in live performance.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
Sunnyside Communications: SSC 1596
Noah Haidu (piano) Buster Williams (bass) Billy Hart (drums)
Recorded in New York, November 21st &22nd 2020
Noah Haidu is a 48-year-old New York based pianist and composer of burgeoning reputation who in the space of four or five well received releases under his own name and numerous sideman contributions has established himself as an important individual voice. Adept in the construction of novel thematic material and the intriguing re-arrangement of standard fare which he interrogates with stimulating extemporary flair and invests with impressionistic delicacy he is joined in his latest project by two of jazz music’s most eminent seniors who also contribute original material to the playlist.
Whilst planning the recording Haidu learned of Keith Jarrett’s debilitating illness and enforced retirement. Recalling his late father’s enthusiasm for Jarrett’s music, and the concerts they had attended together, Haidu decided to dedicate the album to what had become an important source of inspiration and though there is little direct reference to Jarrett’s original material other than the waltz `Rainbow` , the music is infused with his contemplative spirit and airy ebullience, the plangent title track referencing his solo piano performances and the joyful gospel inflected `Keith Jarrett` reminiscent of pieces like the final movement of the `Koln Concert` Both these are originals by Haidu and no less impressive are those by Williams and Hart, the former opening the set with `Air Dancing`, a thing of floating chords and quicksilver flourishes emerging from a four note descending motif, with Billy Hart contributing a piece bearing the name of the Spanish poet `Lorca` which resonates with that mysterious Iberian quality known as `duende`.
Jarrett’s famous `standards trio` repertoire is represented by exquisite versions of three `songbook` staples: `What a Difference a Day Makes` is taken at a relaxed easy going tempo with the smooth burnish of Buster’s bass gliding through the harmonic spaces caressed by Hart’ masterful command of the cymbals. A stately reading of Hoagy Carmichael’s `Georgia` acquires a block chorded gravitas and the session ends with an affectingly unadorned rendering of `But Beautiful`, the improvised narrative gently emerging from the measured theme statement and leading to another glowing bass solo.
The Jarrett legacy is most ably commemorated by this release without submerging the individuality of the participants who in a combination of freshly minted inspiration and a wealth of time honed experience and technique have honoured a talent that sadly we are unlikely to hear again in live performance.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
