Description
Release Date: 04/28/17
With “Live at Birdland New York” the pianist-composer is celebrating his 70th birthday, and demonstrates he’s still at the top of his game.
With the release of âLive at Birdland New Yorkâ the pianist-composer is celebrating his 70th birthday, and demonstrates heâs still at the top of his game alongside his congenial partner of two decades, the New York based violinist Gregor Huebner. Itâs through the development of their own uniquely imaginative version of âthird streamâ, the absorption of elements of the European âclassicalâ music tradition into New Yorkâs postbop idioms that Beirach and Huebner found so much common ground. Bweirach: âThe mix of the music on the CD is very typical for us, you find classical pieces, our own compositions, a typical jazz standard and a composition by John Coltrane [âTransitionâ]. Each piece brings something totally new but everything is connected through improvisation.â Of his originals, one of Beirachâs most popular, a classical-influenced, hauntingly melancholic version of âElmâ is a standout piece. Beirachâs infectious latin vamp on the standard âYou Donât Know What Love Isâ is associated with Chet Baker and a reminder of Beirachâs tenure in his band early on in his career. Approaching the ripe old age of 70, itâs a moment to consider Richie Beirachâs high level achievements as one of Americaâs greatest living modernist jazz piano stylists. Originally a sideman of both Stan Getz and the aforementioned Baker, Beirach among others has enjoyed a memorably intimate association with the saxophonist Dave Liebman since the 1970s, in bands (Quest, Lookout Farm) that included the legendary Billy Hart whose explosive presence at times on the recording eclipses entirely his 76 years on the planet. âFor Richie,â Huebner explains, âthese are his oldest friends, and these are the people he developed his music together.â In jazz that development doesnât come to an end. Itâs testament to the exploratory âyoung at heartâ spirit of the grand jazz masters on âLive at Birdland New Yorkâ that not for a second does anyone rest on their considerable laurels.
Label: Act |
Genre: Jazz |
Run Time: 74 mins |
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