| Jazz |
An album of pure elegance, which can be seen as a tribute to John Coltrane. Without imitating him, it achieves the remarkable feat of presenting inspiring works with a dazzling aesthetic. My personal tastes being exceptionally broad, I find as much joy in writing these lines about this album as I would for one by Médéric Collignon, Céline Bonacina, or Wadada Leo Smith. We are not dealing with just any musician: of the Brooklyn-based saxophonist Noah Preminger, The New York Times declares: “Mr. Preminger designs a different kind of sound for each note, an individual destiny and story.”
At just 36 years old and a two-time recipient of Downbeat magazine’s Rising Star Best Tenor Saxophonist award, Preminger has recorded nearly two dozen critically acclaimed albums as a leader. These few lines from his biography encapsulate not only his style as a performer but also his philosophy of music, as it is clear that Noah Preminger possesses a singular vision, allowing us to grasp and appreciate his inner universe.
Born in 1986, Preminger grew up in Canton, Connecticut. He released his debut album, Dry Bridge Road, shortly after his 21st birthday, earning the title of Debut of the Year in the Village Voice Critics Poll. His second and third albums as a leader were released in 2011 and 2013 under Palmetto Records. The Boston Globe describes him as “a master of standards and ballads, as well as an adventurous composer.” The saxophonist has performed on prestigious stages across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia, and he has played or recorded alongside artists such as Jason Moran, Dave Holland, John Patitucci, Fred Hersch, Dave Douglas, Billy Hart, Rob Garcia, Joe Lovano, Victor Lewis, John and Bucky Pizzarelli, Cecil McBee, George Cables, and Roscoe Mitchell. Preminger currently teaches at the Longy School of Music of Bard College and The New School.
Ballads, an album steeped in bebop, romance, and lyricism, is an exceptional work that prioritizes both substance and the aesthetics of form. This form of beauty, found as much in Pachelbel as in Coltrane, takes a modern, warm direction here, balanced by the extraordinary musicians accompanying Preminger in this venture: pianist Julian Shore, bassist Kim Cass, and drummer Allan Mednard. The exceptional cohesion of this quartet offers a dynamic stage presence that would be a delight to experience live.
2025 promises jazz in all its forms, with a January that has already exceeded expectations and a February poised to do the same. The press, much like myself, deeply appreciates this artist:
“Noah Preminger’s sound is beholden to no one. That makes him continually unpredictable and continually satisfying.” — The Boston Phoenix
“Mr. Preminger designs a different kind of sound for each note, an individual destiny and story.” — The New York Times
Ballads is intelligent music meant to inspire dreams, with arrangements that are both understated and stylish—an album destined to find its place among our “Essential” collection.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, January 22nd 2025
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