| Jazz |
After four years battling cancer, Michael Wolff is on all fronts, starting with a book that you can find here,
and a trio album featuring two excellent musicians, Ben Allison on bass and Alan Mednard on drums. You will notice that the book and the album share the same name, as they both symbolize this period of battling illness and the hope that emerges as a form of renewal and optimism, a return to a normalized life. Known for his virtuosic performances and innovative style, after leaving music school early to join Cal Tjader’s Latin-jazz group in the early 1970s, he spent the next two decades performing in concerts and recording extensively. Wolff can be heard on over 21 recordings with a true constellation of stars, ranging from Tjader to Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Rollins, Nancy Wilson, Sheila E, Christian McBride, Tony Williams, and many others. During this period, he also collaborated with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Band, and the Count Basie Orchestra.*
The album “Memoir” is thus the sum of his entire life as an artist, and the result is truly magnificent. This is one of the great jazz albums of 2024. Taking the time to discover this album and listen to it multiple times, I remain fascinated by the compositions that are not only of very high quality but also by the melodic universe that unfolds throughout the album. “Memoir” showcases Wolff in his trio with his longtime collaborators, bassist Ben Allison and drummer Allan Mednard. The collection of 11 tracks is a deeply inspired compilation of new music and fresh reinterpretations of some of Wolff’s favorite original compositions that he decided to revisit. True to its title, “Memoir” is both a rhythmic and dynamic exploration, but also deeply emotional, highlighting the richness and complexity of Wolff’s playing as well as the talent of the three musicians. With more than twenty-one solo albums to his name, “Memoir” is one of Wolff’s most personal and significant records to date. “I wanted each note and each piece to resonate emotionally with the listener and reflect the journey of my experiences. This album conveys a very personal and thoughtful feeling, but it still has great energy,” Wolff said.
It’s not just about energy, but about an entire universe that takes us on a journey, ultimately providing the perfect set for concerts and festivals. The music, with its apparent simplicity, hides an intelligent complexity. Over time, one can clearly distinguish between the ‘calling card’ albums and others like this one, which are the result of carefully considered work that follows a progression in the complexity of the pieces, allowing the listener to settle into it calmly—a true delight to listen to. Moreover, Michael states, “The tracks on ‘Memoir’ really reflect who I am today as an artist and as a person,” he adds. “Having gone through this frightening battle with cancer and facing my mortality has made me a more mature artist. Writing the book was like rediscovering myself, and this music reflects and builds on my personal story of struggle and ultimately triumph over adversity,” Wolff explains. “Memoir is about truth, beauty, and freedom in music,” says Wolff. “Music is the manifestation of my belief that artists should let what they play resonate, giving the music the space it needs. It’s about the space between the notes,” Wolff continues. This is undoubtedly an album that will leave its mark. The material from which it is crafted is rich in meaning, full of hope, joy, and moments of intense poetry—more than enough to earn a place among our ‘Essential’ albums…
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, August 9th 2024
Follow PARIS-MOVE on X
::::::::::::::::::::::