With the contraction of the economy and the music industry in particular, it can be difficult for independent artists to maintain a consistent platform. BFM Digital created the label BFM Jazz in 2010 as a way to give jazz players more public attention. These aren’t unknown players trying to make their marks — these are well-known, veteran session/studio players creating their own musical statements. A compilation album, A Year with BFM Jazz 2011, celebrates the one-year anniversary of the label's birth.
Steve Gadd, one of the most respected, sought-after drummers on the scene today, has worked in many genres and is known for his inventive use of rhythm. This is evident in his up-tempo version of the Horace Silver classic “Sister Sadie,” taken from the album, Live at Voce (featuring Ronnie Cuber on baritone).
Accomplished percussionist Luis Conte contributes two pieces (“Water Pots” and “Conga Melody”) from his CD, En Casa de Luis. These ethereal, lighter-sounding mood pieces stand at the opposite end of the musical spectrum from the straight-ahead jazz on this collection. From reed player Bob Sheppard’s album, Close Your Eyes, minor- and diminished-scale riffs on the aptly-named “Surface Tension” and “Brain Fog” resonate a bit darker than other songs on the CD.
The compilation also contains two releases from pianist Larry Goldings‘s solo piano recording, In My Room. “Crawdaddy“ is a New-Orleans feel-good piece (it's a bit mellower than one might expect) while “Libre” is a contemplative improvisational ballad that reflects Bill Evans’ impact in phrasing and intonation.
Speaking of Evans, pianist Alan Pasqua counts him as an inspiration. His album Double Bill consists of dual-track duets on which Pasqua accompanies himself on songs associated with or inspired by the jazz legend. “Vindarna Sucka Uti Skogarna” is a traditional Swedish song performed by Evans’ trio in 1964. “Grace,” written by Pasqua, is a ballad that pays tribute to the master.
Article comments