Jerry Kalaf – Safe Travels

Arranged and orchestrated by Doug Walter / Feat. Tom Ranier, Trey Henry & ATLYS
Jazz
Jerry Kalaf (Feat. Doug Walter, Tom Ranier, Trey Henry & Atlys) – Safe Travels

Radiant, Jubilant, and Deeply Melodic…

There is a luminous, almost symphonic quality to the melodic approach here—compositions rich with meaning, verging on literary, if not entirely so. I must confess to being utterly captivated by this album, which yields its treasures only to deep, focused listening. The command of string instruments is nothing short of remarkable, and the drummer’s contributions display an unerring sense of ensemble balance, knowing precisely where to place each beat without redundancy. This aesthetic sensibility is nothing less than extraordinary.

It transported me back to my formative years in music—those listening sessions with Gershwin, Debussy, or Ravel. The impression is that Jerry Kalaf has distilled the finest elements of these masters into a cohesive vision, one that spans a broader cultural landscape than those early influences might suggest. His extraordinary talent, honed through performances and tours alongside Eddie Harris, Gary Burton, Gary Foster, and other luminaries, has clearly shaped his artistry.

This is the essence of a thriving artistic culture—one nourished not by complacency but by active participation and collaboration. Kalaf’s prolific work as a performer and composer in the Los Angeles recording studios, contributing to hundreds of film scores and television programs, serves as the foundation for an album that brims with imagery and sensation. Each track is its own tableau, brought to life by an ensemble of exceptional musicians: Tom Ranier on piano, Trey Henry on bass, and Kalaf himself on drums, joined by the ATLYS string quartet—Sabrina Tabby and Jinty McTavish on violins, Erin Rafferty on viola, and Genevieve Tabby on cello.

Witnessing such an ensemble live, one might marvel with childlike wonder at its grandeur and contemporary resonance. What makes this album so compelling, however, is its restraint; it does not seek to dazzle through flashiness but rather seduces with beauty, aesthetics, and profound intent. Kalaf’s compositional talent has long been acknowledged; he is a recipient of the Meet The Composer grant, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the California Arts Council. His recording Just Like Old Times, a collaboration with arranger Doug Walter, showcased eight compositions for string orchestra and piano trio, blending the written score with the improvisational spirit of jazz—a duality that shines throughout Safe Travels.

The titular track, Safe Travels, evokes the idle hours spent in airports, waiting for connections—moments ripe for reverie, imbued with a quiet, poetic charm. The listening experience is one of comfort and immersion, free from the constraints of media-driven formats. It invites discovery and unhurried appreciation, culminating in a final track that surprises with its infectious, danceable melody.

By the time the album ends, one cannot help but wish it were longer. While it may not be the flashiest release of 2025, it possesses all the qualities of an “essential” record—an understated masterpiece that leaves an indelible mark on its listeners.

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

PARIS-MOVE, January 12th 2025

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To buy this album

Musicians:
Tom Ranier, piano
Trey Henry, bass
Jerry Kalaf, drums

and featuring ATLYS:
Sabrina Tabby and Jinty McTavish, violins
Erin Rafferty, viola
Genevieve Tabby, cello

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