Yaron Herman (pno); Stéphane Kerecki (bs); Ziv Ravitz (dms) + Logan Richardson (alt); Emile Parisien (sop/ten).(Review by Lance.)
Born in Tel Aviv in 1981 Yaron Herman looked to be all set to have a career as a junior basketball player on Israel's national team. When that dream was shattered by a knee injury, Yaron, 16 year old, turned to the piano - well you would wouldn't you? - studying the instrument using a method based on Philosophy, Mathematics and Psychology. He's now considered, worldwide, to be one of the outstanding talents of his generation.
Recorded in France where Yaron now resides, the piano playing on this CD is comparable with many of the piano discs I've lately reviewed. At times there is an almost pastoral feel to the music often building to a frenzied peak then gradually drawing back to a reflective mode. Keith Jarrett is in there somewhere and so is Brad M. Bass and drums combine to make this a unit of players seeking each other and, eventually, making passing contact. It works for me.
As a bonus, two horn players, not always simultaneously, augment the trio. Emile Parisiene (a name to die for!) waxes lyrical on soprano and tenor. Logan Richardson - from New York - plays fluent contemporary alto.
Madeleine has some quite evocative piano and I wondered, who is Madeleine who inspired the music? - perhaps one day it will be revealed. My favourite track.
Yaron Herman - Alter Ego ACT 9530-2, is released on September 24.
Lance.
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