Christmas round-up
The pianist Michel Petrucciani, who died of brittle bone disease in 1999 at 36, was a force of nature whose live shows were famously explosive events. Recorded in
1990 in Silkeborg Church, Solo in Denmark captures the diminutive Frenchman at the height of his powers. Across a programme of turbocharged standards and two originals (even the ballads burn with barely contained energy) Petrucciani comes over like a devilish duet at work. His propulsive but ornate takes on ‘Round Midnight’ and ‘Blue Monk’ are standouts; the closing 14-min medley of precisely splintered standards grips the ears and never lets go. (Storyville Records 1018495) ★★★★
The UK’S Andrew Mccormack is a hard pianist to pin down. A member of Kyle Eastwood’s globetrotting quintet, he also runs his own groups, including the prog jazz outfit Graviton, and performs largely improvised solo sets. But he’s put together a new trio with fellow south Londoners Joe Downard (bass) and Rod Youngs (drums) for Terra Firma, a sparkling showcase of his clever writing skills and classically detailed chops. The programme is full of surprises: the reimagined Sting euroballad ‘Fragile’ is juxtaposed with an eloquent take on the standard ‘Dear Old Stockholm’, while Mccormack’s own tunes, like ‘Prayer For Atonement’, deal movingly with the grim events unfolding around the world. (Ubuntu UBU0123) ★★★★
By adding tenor saxophonist
Uli Kempendorff to her celebrated trio with Heinrich Köbberling (drums) and Marc Muellbauer (bass), German pianist Julia Hülsmann has added another dimension to her cool conception of modern European jazz. Recorded after a period of intense gigging, their beautifully crafted studio album The Next Door is a gem.
Each member contributed original tunes and the thoughtful arrangements produce a balanced, seamless ensemble sound. I like how a restrained version of Hülsmann’s ‘Jetzt Noch Nicht’ is followed by a warmer, swinging take later in the set. (ECM Records ECM2759) ★★★★
The late American lyricist and London’s erstwhile godmother of hip, Fran Landesman, was best known for her number ‘Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most’. But she produced some of her finest songs in later life with the pianist Simon Wallace. How great that singer Nicki Leighton-thomas has joined forces with Wallace for an album of choice cuts from the period, One Good Scandal. It’s a match made in smoky bohemian heaven, the singer’s intimate delivery pitch perfect for Landesman’s coquettishly crafted confessionals. Dave O’higgins’s blue-washed tenor sax seals the deal. (33 Jazz Records 33JAZZ292) ★★★★
In what might be considered an act of heroism by most jazz animateurs, trombonist, composer and educator Raph Clarkson organised around 170 primary school kids to sing on his new big band album How We Grow. The children bring an exuberant energy to the programme of rip roaring, genre-crossing pieces penned by the leader. Don’t think the sound is going to be at all like a school concert. Clarkson’s Dissolute Society band features some of the UK’S finest – including horn player Laura Jurd, saxist Mark Lockheart and guitarist John Parricelli. Lifted by the throng, lead vocalist Fini Bearman soars gracefully above. (Migu Records MGU001) ★★★★