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Jacques Voyemant Septet: Arrival
ByJacques has also been leading his own seven-piece ensemble, comprised of some of the finest sidemen in all of LA. The group's debut, Arrival, was released in 2008, with all selections composed by Jacques (except the Japanese traditional "Sakura, Sakura," which he arranged), and they're a bunch of honeys. The hallmarks of the album are its pensive mood and rich, shared sonorities; no bone soloist's narcissistic tour de force this. Jacques shares melodic space with under-sung reedman Bob Sheppard, pianist's pianist Alan Pasqua, and vibraphonist Billy Hulting, and all amply reward the confidence with stellar performances.
"Desert Tale" and "Ephesus" abound in fourths and modal harmonies (the latter plush with Tull's and Kilgore's percussive effects and driven by the late Dave Carpenter's relentless swingthe CD is dedicated to him), while "Sakura," introduced with trombone and bass unison, is awash with percussive Japanese echoes and Sheppard's lilting flute. The wistful "Need for Peace" showcases Voyemant's rich resonance, together with Hulting's vibes and Carpenter's bass. Sheppard's soprano sax plays counterpoint, first with Jacques and later with Hulting in the haunting "Paradigm Shift." The title tune features introspective solos by Pasqua, Carpenter, Jacques, and Sheppard; it drifts tantalizingly in and out of different meters, including 5/4 and 11/8. "All Grown Up" is the most nostalgic tune yet, beginning with what sounds like children's playground chatter; Sheppard's tenor is heart-rending in its intensity.
Like a gentle breeze off the bahia, Sheppard's flute and the hypnotic Brasilian percussion sweep away moody clouds on "Brasilia"; Pasqua's brilliant solo is front-and-center, but the bittersweet echo of some forgotten love lingers. "Catalina Splash" returns to California, Kilgore's bongos underpinning trombone and soprano unison, solos, and the ever-cool sound of vibes without the vibe. The album ends in the only way it can: a gentle fade-out to a last few tinkles of the piano that ask as many questions as they answer.
Let him who despairs for the present and future of jazz listen well.
Track Listing
Desert Tale; Sakura, Sakura; Ephesus; Need for Peace; Paradigm Shift; Arrival; All Grown Up; Brasilia; Catalina Splash.
Personnel
Jacques Voyemant
tromboneJacques Voyemant: trombone; Bob Sheppard: tenor and soprano saxes, flute; Alan Pasqua: piano; Dave Carpenter: bass, 6-string electric bass; Billy Hulting: vibraphone, marimba, shaker, pandeiro; Dave Tull: drums; Brian Kilgore: percussion.
Album information
Title: Arrival | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Elyria Records
Comments
About Jacques Voyemant
Instrument: Trombone
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