Tomasz
Stańko (trumpet); Davide Virelles (piano); Reuben Rogers (double bass); Gerald Cleaver (drums).
(Review by Hugh C.)
A decade ago Polish trumpeter
Tomasz Stańko took an apartment in the city he considers the jazz capital of
the world, New York, the stomping ground of all his early musical heroes. Once resident it was not long before he was
playing with some of the most gifted and creative players on the scene. The first tangible record of this was the New
York Quartet's first, much acclaimed release Wislawa.
Stańko's work is recognisable by
the grainy tone and smeared notes, the lyrical and soulful themes
characteristic of the noirish atmospheres they conjure. He is generous with his compositions in
allowing fellow band members time and space to express themselves. December Avenue, the Quartet's second
release, was recorded at studios in the south of France, with bass player Reuben
Rogers (originally from the Virgin Islands) joining the band and forming a deep
understanding with Cuban born pianist David Virelles and Detroit drummer Gerald
Cleaver.
December
Avenue,
released as a CD with a generous 64 minutes of music is a treat. There are twelve tracks in all: Cloud – Conclusion – Blue Cloud – Bright
Moon – Burning Hot – David and Reuben – Ballad for Bruno Shulz – Sound Space –
December Avenue – The Street of Crocodiles – Yankiels Lid – Young Girl in
Flower. Each is classic Stańko, with
extensive solo or tutti passages by the other band members interspersed
or interrupted respectively by lyrical trumpet or stabbing interjections by
Stańko. As alluded to in my previous
review (Tomasz Stańko
Quartet, GIJF 2017) much is recognisable and familiar as the work of
Stańko, despite my having heard the CD only once before. That having been said, if Stańko is what you
like, you will like this!
The promotional material
received by Lance and passed on to me with the CD on GIJF 2017, day 1 at the
Sage 1, level 1 bar proclaims that “Stańko begins a European tour at the end of
March, playing the music of December Avenue” with dates in various
mainland European cities and including Gateshead, United Kingdom. As indicated in my review of that event, I
cannot attest to the veracity of this statement due to the lack of an
indication of what they were playing or about to play. All I can say is Stańko fans loved the gig
and will also love this.
Hugh
C.
December Avenue is now released and available
for purchase on ECM - CD No. 6025 5726302 2
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