Ben Markley – Live At Nocturne (ENG review)

Jazz
Ben Markley – Live At Nocturne

The starting point of this album is the meeting between musician Ben Markley and the owner of Club Nocturne. While many musicians might only have a surface-level awareness of such a partnership, the pianist, bandleader, and composer Ben Markley, acclaimed by *Downbeat*, has a much deeper understanding. Over the years, he developed a camaraderie and deep friendship with Scott Mattson, the owner of Nocturne, Denver’s most renowned jazz club. Together, they forged a brilliant, symbiotic agreement between musician and venue owner: a residency. Ben Markley, already praised by *Downbeat* in 2022 with a four-star review for his project *Ari’s Funhouse*, a delicately staged work with a big band, took this opportunity to expand his artistry.

For two consecutive months, Markley—alongside his trusted ensemble—served as the resident musician at Nocturne. This period was marked by steady growth, as Markley and his group refined, adjusted, and took spontaneous creative risks night after night. This recurring opportunity to perform acted as both an incubator for developing ideas and a crucible for honing them into ever-purer concentrations of excellence. *Our Walk: Live at Nocturne*, Markley’s new album, composed entirely of original creations, is a live recording without any post-production edits or studio manipulations, documenting the conclusion of his group’s residency at Nocturne. It is a celebration of collaboration and camaraderie, as well as a tribute to the timeless power of live performance. Markley’s music, in addition to having a classical structure, also explores a form of repetition; it’s intellectual, urban music of relative complexity, with each instrument utilized to its fullest capacity.

One can sense at every moment how the opportunity Markley had with his musicians led them to the culmination of a pyramidal, empirical search. When Markley and Mattson began discussing the idea of an extended residency, the question arose of what could be done to make this period unique. The answer, given by the duo, was found in the music. The compositions featured on *Our Walk* were all created specifically to be performed during Markley’s residency. Moreover, these compositions were not only new but also signaled a new stylistic direction for the pianist. “I wanted to write compositions that were different from what I had done before—new grooves, melodic phrases, and aesthetics,” said Markley. “These are sounds I love but haven’t explored much yet, and this album was an opportunity to do just that.”

This is precisely what residencies provide for artists: the possibility of pushing far beyond their comfort zones. The music of this kind of endeavor is a high-wire act for the group, and one could say that the result meets expectations. In a live album, the chemistry and performance of a group are revealed to the audience more than anything else. With no studio edits to mask anything, the musicians must excel and put their talents to the test. Markley’s ensemble embraced this challenge with boldness and emerged with undeniable success. The ensemble on *Our Walk* includes Steve Kovalcheck (guitar), Wil Swindler (alto saxophone), Domi Edson (bass; tracks 1–5), Matt Smiley (bass; tracks 6, 7), Andy Wheelock (drums), and Ben Markley (piano), the group leader. Of these musicians, Markley speaks with praise and gratitude. “Steve Kovalcheck and Wil Swindler are two of my dearest friends,” he says. “They are among the best musicians in the world, and I’m thrilled to have documented this with them.” He continues by highlighting the dedication of every member. “I want to thank Andy Wheelock, Domi Edson, and Matt Smiley for learning my music and taking care of every note. The collective work of this group and the product we’ve created is something I’m proud to share.”

A truly fine album, far from obvious, with a generous approach that deserves reflection, taking time to appreciate it and placing it atop our cherished pile of “essential” albums.

Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News

PARIS-MOVE, October 19th 2024

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