| Jazz |
A Fusion of Worlds: Dave Sharp WORLDS Quartet Elevates the Music of Gregg Hill to Dazzling New Heights.
Admittedly, I felt a flicker of hesitation when this album first landed on my radar. In the past two years, interpretations of Gregg Hill’s compositions have emerged with such relentless frequency that one could be forgiven for wondering whether we were witnessing the onset of creative saturation. Yet, against all odds, this latest release not only distinguishes itself from the crowded field, it quite possibly surpasses all previous efforts. What we encounter here is both one of Hill’s most visionary and majestic compositions to date, and a revelatory interpretation by a group of artists who manage to inhabit the work so completely that it feels newly born.
Their reading is nothing short of exhilarating, both modern in outlook and deeply resonant.
To pull off such a feat demands musicians of rare caliber, and in this instance, the ensemble that rises to the occasion may come as a surprise. The Dave Sharp WORLDS Quartet, known for its eclectic synthesis of jazz and global traditions, might not have been the obvious choice for an undertaking rooted in contemporary American jazz composition. And yet, it is precisely this unexpected pairing that yields a project of such striking originality. Drawing from a palette rich in jazz, world music, and classical nuance, the group delivers a work of remarkable depth and vitality, a genuine delight for the senses.
The WORLDS Quartet, under the dynamic leadership of bassist, composer, and conductor Dave Sharp, channels the spirit of jazz through a global lens. Their music thrives on the energy of exploratory improvisation and a deep reverence for musical traditions from Armenia, India, Turkey, Egypt, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Greece. These influences aren’t merely referenced, they are woven into the DNA of the music, giving the album an expansive, borderless quality that inspires and surprises in equal measure.
A central force behind the album’s emotional and technical potency is guitarist Elden Kelly. His contributions here are nothing short of breathtaking. The album becomes a canvas on which his virtuosity and cultural agility are made fully visible. Longtime followers in Michigan, where he was based for over a decade, are familiar with his work alongside the WORLDS Quartet. But even for those audiences, this project will feel like a new chapter. Kelly’s work with the group has taken him across the United States and to international stages such as Jazz Ascona in Switzerland, where they performed in both 2023 and 2024.
What sets Kelly apart is not just his technical command, but his uncanny ability to bridge cultures and styles in a way that feels organic rather than forced. His classical and flamenco roots meld seamlessly with jazz sensibilities, while his mastery of fretless guitars evokes the tonalities of blues, Indian ragas, and Middle Eastern maqams, often within a single phrase. It is a rare musical voice, broad in scope, rich in detail, and utterly singular.
And yet, for all the brilliance on display, none of this would be possible without the generosity embedded in Gregg Hill’s compositions. Hill has a rare gift: he composes with just enough structure to provide direction, yet leaves ample space for reinterpretation, reimagination, and rebirth. This is precisely what makes his work feel so alive. It is not music to be merely played, it is music to be inhabited, reshaped, and ultimately made one’s own. That so many musicians have taken up the challenge of reinterpreting Hill’s work is no coincidence; it is a testament to the inviting, malleable spirit at the heart of his writing.
What ultimately makes this album stand out is the poetic sensibility that suffuses every track. There is a lyrical beauty in the way Middle Eastern and Eastern European sonorities are entwined with the language of modern American jazz. It is the sound of cultures not clashing, but conversing, an album made with both daring and grace. The result is a singular vision from a group unafraid to take risks, and fully capable of turning those risks into moments of profound musical joy.
Thierry De Clemensat
Member at Jazz Journalists Association
USA correspondent for Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief – Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, May 6th 2025
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Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet’s website
Musicians – DAVE SHARP WORLDS QUARTET
Henrik Karapetyan: Violin
Igor Houwat: Oud
Dave Sharp: Bass
Elden Kelly: Fretted/ Fretless Guitar, Guitar Synth, Bass on #5
Mike List: Percussion
Tracklist :
- Traveling with Gregg 7:38
- Rue de Royal 7:05
- 13th Century Lion 5:19
- Ducks Night Out 6:21
- Catalyst 7:53
- Cidade 6:58
- Savana 8:53
- The Stray Moonduck 8:51