Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Matt Steckler: Persiflage

159

Matt Steckler: Persiflage

By

Sign in to view read count
Matt Steckler: Persiflage
The dictionary defines "persiflage as "light bantering talk or "a frivolous style of treating a subject. Saxophonist/flutist Matt Steckler's compositional style can seem slangy and almost casual, but repeated listens reveal a depth of color, a true sense of shape, and a brilliant mix of the improvisational and the written.

For Persiflage Steckler has found players who know how to stretch the tradition as well as go beyond it. Jazz Passengers trombonist Curtis Fowlkes heads the front line with Steckler, and their sinewy and twisting lines never seem showy for novelty's sake. Instead, with the solid, yet ever adventurous pulse of more-than-rhythm players Michael Cain, Lonnie Plaxico and Pheeroan akLaff, the band plays themes that are both logical and completely surprising.

The tunes—all by Steckler—have the feel of the best George Russell ensembles, taking the modern jazz vocabulary and context for a much-needed ride. The opening "March Nor'easter, for example, is jaunty and playful but digs into a groove that keeps it in the pulse. Steckler squawks on alto and Fowlkes bellows and brays—all over rich sounds from Cain and a powerful AkLaff—but the tune keeps you snapping your fingers, even as you can't quite figure out where it's going to go.

Later the group does a nutty take on a Latin groove—"Episodio pa' Osmany —spinning it out into some other world, one where the digging is down and deep but also headed into new territory. All the tunes have a feel that we've come to know from listening to jazz records, but none of them feels tired or rehashed.

Track Listing

March Nor'easter; Hitting The Windshield; Persiflage; Episodio Pa' Osmany; Ring On Delhi; Turbulent Life Seekers; Spitfire; Mallard Call In The Cain Fields; Unknown Rebel; Country Rake Fight.

Personnel

Curtis Fowlkes: trombone; Lonnie Plaxico: bass; Matt Steckler: saxophone; Michael Cain: piano; Pheeroan Aklaff: drums.

Album information

Title: Persiflage | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Innova Recordings

Comments

Tags


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.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

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