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Chad McCullough & Bram Weijters: Abstract Quantities
ByThis is a Belgian/American quartet. McCullough and drummer John Bishop represent the United States, with bassist Piet Verbist and pianist/co-leader Bram Weijters hailing from Belgium. Weijters is a commanding presence on the pianopassionate and percussive on the set's opener, "Billions." McCullough's trumpet displays the purest of tones on this propulsive piece, with Verbist and Bishop crafting an unsettled and turbulent rhythm. Weijters' solo reveals a knack for intriguing story telling, a talent he shares with McCullough.
Eight out of eleven tunes on Abstract Qualities come from Weijters' pen. Three are written by McCullough, including the wistful and reflective "Little Song (for Mirthe)." It's a tune of immensely graceful quartet interplay and a measured majesty. The group has way of sounding larger than a foursome, perhaps from the bright colors and the intricate and expansive tapestry that Bishop lays down on this gorgeous song.
The jazz quartet featuring a trumpet and a rhythm section is historically represented most potently by pianist Herbie Hancock's masterful Empyrean Isles (Blue Note Records, 1965), featuring trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, and Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stańko's ECM Records recordings with the Marcin Wasilewski Trio, Suspended Night (2004) Lotano (2006). With three recordings under their belts, and the music evolving in its beauty, mystery and originality, the Chad McCullough/Bram Weijters group is pushing into that classic territory.
Track Listing
Billions; Still More; Mr. Rubato; Glorious Traffic Jam; Hesitation; The Same Prelude; The Same But Different; Little Song (for Mirthe); Winter's Lament; Before Acceptance; Acceptance or Denial.
Personnel
Chad McCullough
trumpetChad McCullough: trumpet; Bram Weijters: piano, keyboards; Piet Verbist: bass; John Bishop: drums.
Album information
Title: Abstract Quantities | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Origin Records
Comments
About Chad McCullough
Instrument: Trumpet
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