| Jazz moderne |
With Umwelt, pianist and composer Denman Maroney delivers one of the most fascinating and rewarding creative jazz albums of recent years. Combining sophisticated composition, unbridled and adventurous improvisation, rhythmic ingenuity, and exceptional ensemble interplay, this nine-track recording stands as a remarkable statement from a musician who continues to innovatively trace the path of liberated contemporary jazz.
The title Umwelt (environment) derives from a German concept referring to the unique perceptual world experienced by each living species. Inspired by Ed Yong’s acclaimed book “An Immense World”, Maroney transforms this idea into music that constantly shifts perspectives, inviting listeners to hear rhythm, harmony, and interaction in fresh and unexpected ways.
At the centre of the project is an outstanding quintet:
A composer with such a clearly defined artistic vision requires musicians capable of understanding and inhabiting his world. The Denman Maroney Quintet succeeds precisely because its members share that understanding. Every detail serves a purpose. Instruments enter and withdraw with precision. Textures evolve naturally. Nothing appears accidental. Even the album’s visual presentation reflects this meticulous attention to detail.
Denman Maroney performs on piano and contributes all compositions. Long recognized for his pioneering “hyperpiano” technique combining conventional keyboard playing with direct manipulation of the piano strings and for his concept of “temporal harmony,” in which multiple rhythmic layers coexist simultaneously, Maroney remains one of the most original pianists working today.
He is joined by two exceptional saxo players: Guillaume Orti performs on soprano and alto saxophones, bringing lyrical elegance and an extraordinary sensitivity. Robin Fincker performs on tenor saxophone and B-flat clarinet, adding warmth, depth, and a highly distinctive improvisational voice. Together, Orti and Fincker form one of the most compelling and expressive saxophone partnerships in contemporary European jazz.
Bassist Scott Walton is the anchor of the ensemble. He is the central pillar of the quintet, the one who ensures mastery of the whole when the other musicians free themselves from rigid forms and rules. Scott ensures the solidity of the whole, but with the discretion that the greatest know how to demonstrate. His playing combines rhythmic solidity with melodic imagination, and throughout the album he serves as a crucial bridge between composition and improvisation.
Drummer Samuel Silvant completes the quintet with remarkable intelligence and flexibility. His drumming is never merely timekeeping; instead, it acts as an active conversational force, shaping the music’s constantly evolving contours.
Musically, Umwelt occupies a fascinating territory between contemporary jazz, chamber jazz, avant-garde jazz, post-bop, and modern European creative music. Yet despite its complexity, the album never feels academic. There is a strong sense of swing, melodic invention, and collective energy running through every performance.
The album opens with “Andale/ Simplexity,” an energetic and highly engaging piece that immediately showcases the quintet’s remarkable cohesion. In this first track Maroney’s hyperpiano techniques make their appearance, adding unusual textures without ever overwhelming the musical narrative.
The second track, “Iteratio”, possesses a playful asymmetry that evokes Thelonious Monk while remaining unmistakably Maroney’s own creation. The interaction between the two saxo players is especially striking.
On “Two Up, One Down,” inspired by the famous rhythmic vamp from John Coltrane’s version of My Favorite Things, the quintet explores layered rhythmic structures while maintaining an irresistible forward momentum. The piece perfectly illustrates Maroney’s ability to combine intellectual rigor with sheer musical enjoyment.
The beautifully composition titled “Lilt” reveals another side of Maroney’s Quintet. The musicians create a more spacious and reflective environment. The piece unfolds naturally, allowing subtle timbral nuances and delicate interactions to emerge gradually.
The title track, “Umwelt,” serves as a conceptual centrepiece. Fragments, motifs, and contrasting ideas gradually converge into a coherent whole, mirroring the album’s exploration of perception and interconnectedness. The collective improvisation here is masterful, each musician contributing equally to the unfolding narrative.
One of the album’s greatest achievements lies in the complementarity of the five musicians. Maroney’s sophisticated compositional framework provides direction, but it is the extraordinary listening and responsiveness of the ensemble that brings the music fully to life.
Listeners familiar with groups led by composers such as Charles Mingus, Henry Threadgill, Muhal Richard Abrams, Tim Berne, or the more chamber-oriented projects of Dave Holland may find certain aesthetic affinities here. Yet Umwelt ultimately sounds like no one but Denman Maroney.
As a pianist, Maroney may occasionally bring to mind Thelonious Monk or Paul Bley but nevertheless, his hyperpiano techniques and temporal-harmony concepts place him in a category entirely his own. Ultimately, Umwelt rewards adventurous listeners. It may not offer immediate gratification, but those willing to engage with its complexities will discover a rich and imaginative musical world.
Umwelt is an album that rewards repeated listening. Each return reveals new hidden details and unexpected connections between the musicians. Intellectually stimulating yet emotionally compelling, adventurous yet deeply musical, it confirms Denman Maroney as one of the most original composers in contemporary jazz.
Frankie Pfeiffer
Editor in chief – PARIS-MOVE
PARIS-MOVE, June 18th, 2026
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Musicians:
Denman Maroney – composition and piano
Guillaume Orti – soprano saxophone and alto saxophone
Robin Fincker – tenor saxophone and Bb clarinet
Scott Walton – bass
Samuel Silvant – drums
Tracklisting:
Andale/Simplexity 08:10
Iteratio 04:16
Two Up, One Down 06:24
Isotrope 06:31
Lilt 05:34
Sea Set Wheat 08:23
Long Odds 08:41
Umwelt 06:38
Rolling Evermore 07:09
Recorded June 19-20, 2025 at La Buissonne, Pernes les Fontaines, France
Edited, mixed, and mastered at La Buissonne
Photos: Denman Maroney