| Jazz |
Above all, pay no attention to the album cover, which might distract you from the content, as more and more often in jazz, the graphic design of album covers is rather dull. This album, however, is quite the opposite, featuring incredible compositions for piano, violin, and trumpet, highlighted by five other sublime artists—and I’m not the only one who thinks so.
“Jason Anick is a rising star in the world of jazz violin.”- Downbeat Magazine
“…[Yeager] has always impressed me with his talent, his curiosity, and his desire to create his own music while truly exploring the jazz piano tradition.”- Fred Hersch (Grammy-nominated pianist/composer)
Talent abounds on this album, which, track after track, takes us on a journey and nourishes our intellect with the most beautiful thing in the world: art! Blending straight-ahead jazz and post-bop, world music, funk, and pop, it enthusiastically embraces what Anick and Yeager have defined as ‘borderless jazz.’ Their first album, *United*, revealed the virtuosic talents of these two fantastic instrumentalists. With contributions from jazz greats such as Jason Palmer and George Garzone, *United* received rave reviews, including 4.5 stars in *Downbeat Magazine*.
Indeed, what is most remarkable is that throughout this work, we are in the presence of what appears to be rather classical jazz, electrified by all the other forms of jazz, and even incorporating elements of world music and classical music. The strong images conveyed by these commanding instrumentalists create a story that unfolds into a novel and ends as a film. There is a poetic quality here, reminiscent of a great director like Spielberg, who knows how to skillfully play with our emotions and a touch of nostalgia. One of the youngest professors at Berklee College of Music in Boston and an award-winning composer, Jason Anick is the co-founder and featured member of the Rhythm Future Quartet, one of the leading neo-Gypsy jazz groups. He also leads his own contemporary jazz ensemble and performs with Grammy Award-winning guitarist John Jorgenson. With performances worldwide and in renowned venues such as the Montreal Jazz Festival, Blue Note, Scullers Jazz Club, Yoshi’s Jazz Club, and TD Garden, Jason has established himself as a leader in the rapidly expanding world of contemporary string music. Anick’s recordings as a leader include *Sleepless*, *Tipping Point*, and *Travels*.
This music makes me think back to the first time I heard a piece by Anton Dvorak. As a child, I was literally glued, wide-eyed and open-eared, equally impressed by the work and the performers. When music reaches such a high level of intelligence, all one can do is contemplate in awe, feeling small in comparison. You can turn this album inside out, and the effect will always be the same. This is not the kind of album you can play in the background while entertaining guests. It is the kind of album you listen to fully, and it deserves to be placed among our *Essentials*.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, September 30th 2024
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