Kris Tiner and Mike Baggetta: There, Just As You Look For It (2005)

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

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.

Recent articles (1,677 total)

Published: September 24, 2005

Kris Tiner and Mike Baggetta: There, Just As You Look For It

Trumpeter Kris Tiner and guitarist Mike Baggetta interpret this set of original compositions with an ear toward meaningful conversation and an eye on balance. Baggetta's light, acoustic guitar spits and spurts with understated emotion, while Tiner's horns express a wide range of feelings. Their musical conversation heats up in places and slows to a crawl elsewhere as the two artists labor to get their intended message just right. Thus, the session lacks spontaneity and relies instead on repetition, sustained space, and gradual changes.

From high harmonics and bowed phrases on guitar to the unusual sound of a saxoflugel, the duo's performance offers new and different timbres. The best parts of the the program come when Tiner and Baggetta allow a few melodies to flow naturally. "WE" consists of a little classical guitar harmony along with solo trumpet melodies. "I" adds a solemn oath to the session. "One More Chance" features muted trumpet and acoustic guitar in a classical music frenzy.

At other times, the two musicians may sound as if they're tuning up or practicing. Nevertheless, they've allowed free choices to affect the outcome, and they grab hold of their music with an unbridled spirit.

Visit Kris Tiner on the web for MP3 samples and more.

Track Listing: The Road to El Paso; Second Preference; A Delicate Touch; Your Aftermath; Quadrants: WE; ITS; IT; I; Caffeinated Weasels; One More Chance; Choke On It; There, Just as You Look For It.

Personnel: Kris Tiner: trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet, saxoflugel; Mike Baggetta: prepared acoustic guitar.

Record Label: pfMentum
Style: Modern Jazz