| Jazz |
Until now, I had never found vibraphonists’ albums particularly inspiring or innovative, but this year is off to a remarkable start, unveiling a host of artists who stand out with truly captivating propositions. Among them, Sasha Berliner emerges as a singular voice. As always, on a first listen, I do not seek to know the artist—I simply want to let myself be inspired. And here, I must admit, the surprise is of considerable magnitude.
Her music is at once complex and accessible, effortlessly borrowing from pop, rock, and funk while remaining resolutely jazz—vibrant, lyrical, and imbued with a poetic sensibility. This is the artistic vision put forth by Berliner, who brings a rare dynamism to the vibraphone. Never before have I heard a vibraphonist display such power, nor one who composes with such contemporary relevance and mastery. Beyond that, Sasha Berliner demonstrates an acute understanding of orchestration—where others might have merely foregrounded their instrument, she integrates it within an intricate and compelling ensemble dynamic.
If, until now, the vibraphone has failed to inspire you, I urge you to take the plunge—listen to this album, and the likelihood that your perspective will shift is quite high.
Hailed by All About Jazz as being “firmly anchored in the firmament of modern jazz and likely to remain there for a long time,” Berliner’s artistry offers a reprieve from the oft-debated tension between tradition and modernity, as though these two notions were fundamentally irreconcilable. Following in the lineage of her acclaimed albums Azalea (2019) and Onyx (2022), Berliner presents Fantôme, a powerful manifesto that invites listeners to engage with music for what it is, relinquishing the rigidity of categorization so often imposed upon jazz.
We have not had the privilege of experiencing her first two albums firsthand, but Fantôme is no mirage. True to its name—which translates literally to “specter”—the album seeks to dissolve the constraints of genre conventions and standardized approaches to jazz and musical perception. “Fantôme is about atmospheres, about reinterpreting familiar melodies or phrases and exploring rarely used instrumentation,” Berliner explains. “It is not about debating what should or should not be, but rather about accepting what is—welcoming an artistic voice as it presents itself, without seeking to categorize or overanalyze it.”
This album is an invitation to listen and to create. “Boxing music into rigid classifications is an illusion—it neither exists nor needs to exist for music to hold real value,” Berliner asserts. Of course, this is a statement open to debate, one that may even redefine the very framework within which we approach music. What remains indisputable, however, is the immense creative scope of this artist—one who will surely continue to surprise and inspire us. And that is precisely what we hope for.
One cannot overlook the influence of artists central to Berliner’s musical aesthetic—Vijay Iyer, Ambrose Akinmusire, Taylor Eigsti (featured on Fantôme), Stefon Harris, Arooj Aftab, Ganavya, and Jason Moran. “They are all recognized not only for their distinctive improvisational styles but also for the way they construct sonic worlds within their albums,” she notes. “It’s mesmerizing and powerful.” Many of these artists have long been featured on Bayou Blue Radio and have captured our attention for years—an unsurprising alignment, given our constant pursuit of the most inspiring voices in jazz. As for Sasha Berliner, she has now secured her place among the artists we will follow closely, as the quality of her work undoubtedly merits recognition among our most cherished and supported musicians.
One of Fantôme’s most striking aspects is the ensemble’s ability to bring Berliner’s vision to life. Striking a balance between honoring the composer’s intent and asserting individual musical identity is no small feat, yet this group achieves it brilliantly. Joining Sasha Berliner on vibraphone, Fantôme features a stellar core ensemble: Taylor Eigsti (piano), Harish Raghavan (double bass), and Jongkuk Kim (drums), with additional contributions from distinguished guests—David Adewumi (trumpet), Rico Jones (saxophone), and Lex Korten (piano).
What an extraordinary ensemble, one that we wholeheartedly celebrate by inducting this album into our “Indispensables” series.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, February 21st 2025
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