Peter and Will Anderson - Wind Power (GUT STRING RECORDS 2018)

Wind Power is the Anderson’s third album in the trio format, featuring the Parisian guitarist Felix Lemerle in his recording debut with Peter and Will. They’ve decided to showcase several iconic American works by their favorite composers, namely Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin and Duke Ellington. Rodgers’ “My Favorite Things,” from The Sound Of Music (1959), has, like many Rodgers’ hits, stood the test of time due to its singable diatonic melody, but Andersons drew inspiration from John Coltrane’s 1961 modal instrumental version, and fit it all into their trio. Also fitting well for the trio is their arrangement of George Gershwin’s “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” from one of the most groundbreaking musical productions in American history, Porgy and Bess.

Gershwin’s songs have been popular choices in jazz musicians’ repertoire for decades, but his most famous work, Rhapsody in Blue, is rarely performed in a jazz setting due to it’s complex form. The Andersons swinging trio version of the Gershwin masterpiece was partially influenced by Leroy Smith’s 1928 fox-trot version. Peter and Will depart from the Great American Songbook by offering their own rousing version of the classic piano piece, Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy, who’s music deeply influenced American composers; Ellington and Gershwin in particular. Horace Silver’s The Preacher is based on the chord structure of the 1925 English pop song “Show Me the Way to Go Home,” which Silver often used to end his concerts. Silver had a special ability to blend jazz, blues, R&B, and church hymns together seamlessly in his compositions. 

Peter, Will, and Felix were lucky to spend 10 weeks performing together during a cross-country USA tour, Spring of 2018, in preparation for this recording. They sincerely want to thank Zac and Brent at Night Train Studios for going above and beyond and making the recording process so enjoyable. Peter and Will also want to thank their family for all of the support: Jim, Kathy, Jane, Halim, Teo, Serra, Rachel, and Tooban. Peter and Will endorse D’Addario woodwind products and Selmer saxophones. For more information and tour dates, visit www.PeterAndWillAnderson.com

Peter Anderson  tenor saxophone & clarinet

Will Anderson  alto saxophone, clarinet & flute

Felix Lemerle  guitar

1. My Favorite Things 5:06

2. It Ain't Necessarily So 4:23

3. Rhapsody in Blue 5:25

4. Purple Gazelle 5:02

5. Clair De Lune 5:36

6. Chega De Saudade 4:44

7. The Preacher 4:11

8. Mood Indigo 4:50

9. Caravan 4:09

10. The Surrey with the Fringe on Top 4:11

11. Jitterbug Waltz 5:44

12. Moonglow 3:50

13. I Can't Give You Anything but Love 4:58

Yoav Trifman - Nu Yo (GUT STRING RECORDS 2018)

Overcoming the challenges of the present has always been the artist’s charge. Today’s crop of emerging artists face a unique set of hurdles, but with enough talent and dedication, some fly above and achieve heights that sustain our cultural vibrancy. Exhibit A: Nu Yo.

An exciting new entry to the composer/arranger/player category is trombonist Yoav Trifman. He presents to us a menu of nine songs featuring original works, innovative arrangements, top-level improvisation, and a groove that swings. The leader sees this set of world premieres recorded in New York City as a jazz message in a bottle: “I wanted to play my best so that I’d have an accurate memory of this specific time.”

At age 24, Trifman has acquired wisdoms both artistic and practical. He carries the player-leader duties with passion and urgency. His writing is compelling and intentional, evoking Dameron, Strayhorn, Monk, Mingus. But these are new sounds: 2018 sounds.

Unleashing a repertoire that stylistically combines new and old also requires skill in building a team. The core rhythm section provides the required energetic punch to drive the listener through these nine selections and want more. Guitar prodigy Félix Lemerle effortlessly switches between shining on his solos and returning to his supportive rhythmic and harmonic duties of comping. Jamale Davis is a powerhouse of pulse who skillfully evades cliché. Drummer Scott Lowrie could land smack in the middle of a vintage recording of the 1950s – if that were possible. However, this group isn’t in the business of looking backward. They are here to stay, with many more groundbreaking projects ahead of them.

Trifman’s front line balances today’s top emerging and veteran players. The young Italian tenor saxophonist Salvo Losappio, who memorized all of his music for the session, brings thoughtful and inspiring soloing. Also from Italy is Stefano Doglioni, an artist on a mission to retroactively include the bass clarinet as a defining component of the classic jazz sound. Journeymen John Mosca and Don Hahn complement the younger players on trombone and trumpet respectively. Each horn player is given a chance to shine, with tremendous results.

Yoav Trifman shows accelerated maturity in knowing what to control and what to allow to happen. His tightly-woven arrangements are unpredictably presented, but the group sound is defined by the nature of each individual.

Yoav Trifman  trombone & euphonium (#4 & 5)

Salvo Losappio  tenor sax (#1-3 & 5-9)

Stefano Doglioni  bass clarinet (#1-3, 6, 8 & 9) 

Felix Lemerle guitar

Jamale Davis  bass

Scott Lowrie  drums

Don Hahn  cornet (#4 & 5) 

John Mosca  trombone (#4 & 8)

1. Uws 4:33

2. Blues for Allison 5:24

3. Indefinite Plans 5:53

4. The Fruit 7:14

5. Melody for C 4:21

6. Mosca-Ism 3:22

7. Humble Hampton 3:19

8. Too Early 4:36

9. Luminescence 5:07