Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Aaron Parks: Invisible Cinema

273

Aaron Parks: Invisible Cinema

By

Sign in to view read count
Aaron Parks: Invisible Cinema
While he only just passed his 24th birthday in October 2008, the gifted Aaron Parks has been appreciated by New Yorkers for quite some time. He's been paying his dues in local clubs for years and has distinguished himself further—enhancing his reputation as a pianist of excellence—as a former member of Terence Blanchard's notable Flow sextet, touring and playing on three Blanchard recordings for Blue Note, including the Grammy-winning A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina) (2007). He's also been heard on soundtracks of Spike Lee movies and tours with Kurt Rosenwinkel.

Now, with Invisible Cinema, his first offering in a Blue Note deal of his own, this Seattle-born self-starter who entered the University of Washington at 14 with a fast-track transfer to Manhattan School of Music two years later is broadening his scope as a bandleader and composer. It's easy to see why he has received Blue Note's vote of confidence. This fellow can play. And he's about more than technique. Whether performing live or on record, as a sideman, soloist or leader, he does so with taste and sensitivity. How he will develop as a bandleader and composer remains to be played out over time. How he will be perceived in his expanding role as a composer right now will depend on the listener's expectations and orientation. Favor compositions that register a bit free-form? If so, this could be your cuppa java. Those who prefer to witness how musicians reinterpret and improvise standards won't get that this time out, though Parks has proven that he can handle those well in performance and on earlier recordings.

Those open to inventiveness incorporating different types of music such as rock and pop into a contemporary, still developing strain of forward-thinking jazz will find much worth sampling here. Varying in mood and scope, these likeable pieces offer restraint, thoughtfulness and versatility, and parts actually sound like they could be segments of a bona fide movie score. (At times, though, ears that crave more traditional structure may experience some things as seeming a little like incidental film music, or even random musings of a talented pianist noodling on the keys as a passing fancy of the moment evolves). But nothing feels lackluster or inappropriate and Parks is never self-indulgent. Whatever he chooses to do, he does it well. The support he receives from a committed and able band of collaborators—the accomplished guitarist Mike Moreno, very capable bassist Matt Penman and drummer Eric Harland—is fully effective.

Track Listing

Travelers; Peaceful Warrior; Nemesis; Riddle me This; Into the Labyrinth; Karma; Roadside Distraction; Harvesting Dance; Praise; Afterglow.

Personnel

Aaron Parks: piano, mellotron (3), glockenspiel (3), keyboards (3, 5, 6, 8); Mike Moreno: guitar (2-4, 6-9), Matt Penman: bass (1-4, 6-9); Eric Harland: drums (1-4, 6-9).

Album information

Title: Invisible Cinema | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Blue Note Records

Comments

Tags

Concerts

Apr 23 Tue
Apr 23 Tue
Apr 24 Wed
Apr 24 Wed
Apr 25 Thu
Apr 25 Thu
Apr 26 Fri
Apr 26 Fri

For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
View events near New York City
Jazz Near New York City
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.