| Jazz Fusion |
This will be one of the great jazz-fusion albums of this summer. Indeed, drummer Jonathan Barber offers us sumptuous compositions featuring guitarist Andrew Renfroe, artistic pianist Taber Gable, respected bassist Matt Dwonszyk, and exploratory tenor saxophonist Matt Knoegel. One cannot help but enjoy the delicacy of this drummer who, effortlessly, provides a complex rhythm on which the musicians take real pleasure in playing. This is evident in every corner of this album. Barber states, “I love the artist I am becoming. I have embraced all my experiences as stepping stones, allowing me to stand tall and speak from my heart.” Barber composed the eight songs and two covers that make up “In Motion.”
Indeed, this album is a story of balanced musical architecture. Jonathan Barber excels by paying careful attention to the melodic aspect of his compositions, ensuring a wider audience. One cannot fully grasp this album in a single listen; it requires time to enter the artist’s universe and listen to the sounds as if in a forest, trying to discern the birds’ songs. “In Motion” is the heart of the album, and what Barber calls the theme song. “When I was composing this song, I wrote three melodies over the chords and wondered which melody I should use. Then I realized that all three work together, and each melody becomes a section where the soloist can improvise,” he says. “In Motion” has many underlying sensations thanks to Barber and Dwonszyk and is meant to evoke a collective conversation within the group. “There are moments where it feels like an alley-oop pass rather than a forward pass,” notes Barber. “A lot of emotion, listening, and risk are required to play this song.” Inspired by the recording session, Barber left the studio that day knowing he had found the title for his album.
Clearly, Jonathan Barber utilizes all his skills, and it must be admitted that they are very impressive. He has already recorded and toured worldwide with artists such as Pat Metheny, Nicholas Payton, Buster Williams, Jeremy Pelt, Wallace Roney, Terrace Martin, Jennifer Holiday, Harold Mabern, Steve Davis, Stefon Harris, and many others. Barber has also been sought for significant performances like Jimmy Greene’s Ana Grace project (with a star-studded band including Greene, Kenny Barron, John Patitucci, and Kurt Elling) and consecutive sold-out concerts with the Brooklyn Philharmonic and Erykah Badu at the BAM Opera House. This leads to an exemplary album where nothing is left to chance. His creative source seems inexhaustible. The most impressive thing for me is the quality of the progression of the ten tracks, and I cannot tell you how many times I have let this album play on repeat, as I particularly appreciate the artist’s vision of his art, his way of working on it and presenting it. In Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead, there is a force as impressive as that of Weather Report. One senses the great freedom of expression each artist had on this album, a coherence that ultimately makes the artists happy. It is also a joy for jazz journalists who, in the face of such talent, can only salute it and, in our case, place this album on the “Essential” pile. It may be a small gesture, but it feels good!
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, July 19th 2024
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