Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Marty Ehrlich / Myra Melford: Spark!

147

Marty Ehrlich / Myra Melford: Spark!

By

Sign in to view read count
Marty Ehrlich / Myra Melford: Spark!
Multi-reedist Marty Ehrlich and pianist Myra Melford share more than a virtuosic touch and rugged lyricism. Their work embodies a single-minded approach to duo playing that lends an air of cohesion to the most abstract improvisation, allowing their ideas to blend to the point where Ehrlich's tone becomes a growling, vibrato-laden extension of Melford's sensitive voicings and provocative counterpoints or a serene answer to one of the pianist's jarring exclamations.

Spark! opens and closes with "Hymn, a bluesy Ehrlich original that has become a mainstay of the duo's repertoire over their decade-plus association. The first take opens with a pointillistic exchange between Ehrlich's alto and Melford's insistent middle register before rolling to a boil and bubbling over into open, probing solos. Ehrlich is first, sticking to staccato exclamations before laying down a series of searching wails and melodic fragments that Melford transforms and weaves into a gospel-tinged statement.

As improvisers, Ehrlich and Melford intuitively follow the arc of each piece rather than succumbing to the traditional roles of soloist and accompanist. Ehrlich's doleful clarinet opens "For Leroy —his ode to the late violinist Jenkins—with an impressionistic run that Melford seamlessly prolongs in the piano's upper register. Complementing Ehrlich's line while echoing and anticipating his melodic statements, Melford's piano is more a catalyst than a supporter. Her sharp lines and dense chord clusters thicken the mournful air on "For Leroy and add a gnawing tension to her knotty original "I See A Horizon.

As duos go, it doesn't get much better than this pair. Their empathy is palpable across nine tracks and the resulting music is as nakedly honest as it is heartfelt and moving.

Track Listing

Hymn Pt 1; A Generation Comes and Another Goes; I See a Horizon; For Leroy; Up Do; Night; Blue Delhi; Images Of Time; Hymn Pt 2.

Personnel

Marty Ehrlich
woodwinds

Marty Ehrlich: reeds; Myra Melford: piano.

Album information

Title: Spark! | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: Palmetto Records

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.
View events near New York City
Jazz Near New York City
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

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.