Russian born Bloch eventually made it to NYC in 2008 via Israel, Holland and Germany.
The music by her Feathery Quartet is delicate, introspective and as the group name implies - feathery. It's soulful and digs deep into themes of exile, loss and yearning all based on her experiences since leaving Russia.
Her saxophone sound is slight, almost as if the column of air exited the instrument without touching the side. It's a wistful sound that makes Stan Getz sound like Ben Webster. A sound, nevertheless, that winds its way around your emotions to the extent that Brian Morton, in his album notes, confesses it brought him to tears. I didn't shed any tears but I could understand where he was coming from, it is very emotional.
Bloch's co-composer Lossing - he wrote three she wrote four - is equally introvert although when he does occasionally emerge from the mausoleum he's outstanding. It's compelling stuff, spellbinding and beautifully played. It made me want to discover more about Bloch's past, the journey from Russia that ended up in New York and how she met up with her Feathery friends.
In the album notes she says that, despite her uniqueness as the only Russian-born female saxophonist working the Brooklyn beat she still finds it difficult getting paid engagements for the band.
Yes, I can see that ... Lance
Available Oct. 8 on Fresh Sound New Talent.
Promise of Return; Mad Mirror; New Home; Climbing Rose of Lifta; Old Home; Mahmoud Darwish; Wintry Mix
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