With chants and drumbeats from around the world, Renee Rosnes has applied a theme to her latest album by integrating mainstream jazz with creative international elements. Regional characteristics from specific areas of Asia, Africa, North and South America are clearly distinguishable, while the unifying thread of her original piano counterpoint ties them together. Seven of the nine compositions are originals. Medieval Spain colors the landscape through Manuel de Falla's "Nana," while Fran Landesman's "Ballad of the Sad Young Men" serves several masters. What kind of world would we have without the ballad? Rosnes' "Hanuman," featuring Chris Potter on tenor, pays homage to Joe Henderson. Life On Earth combines universal elements: things familiar the world over. The pianist's use of a small, contemporary string ensemble, a clarion trombone choir, marimba, and a wide array of percussion instruments serves her multi-cultural audience. As one of the top jazz pianists on today's scene, Rosnes delivers a double-whammy: her swinging piano magic and her creative compositions.
Track Listing
Empress Afternoon, Senegal Son, Ballad of the Sad Young Men, Icelight, Gabriola Passage, The Quiet Earth, Hanuman, Nana, The Call of Triton
Renee Rosnes (piano), Walt Weiskopf (soprano & tenor sax), Chris Potter (tenor sax & bass clarinet), Shelly Brown (flutes), Conrad Herwig (trombone), Douglas Purviance (bass trombone), Steve Turre (trombone & shells), David Gilmore (guitar), Steve Nelson (marimba), Christian McBride & John Patitucci (bass), Billy Drummond & Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums), Duduka Da Fonseca (drums, cameroon shells, ganza, Mica's bells, surdo, tamborim, agogo bell, cuica, repenique, triangle, cowbell), Zakir Hussain (tabla), Mor Thiam (djembe & vocals), Laura Seaton & Laura Oatts (violin), Ralph Farris (viola), Erik Friedlander & Sachi Patitucci (cello), Kevin Tarrant (vocals)
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Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues,The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.