Gary Hassay / Dan Dechellis / Tatsuya Nakatani: Beauty (2008)

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.

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Published: May 4, 2009

Gary Hassay / Dan Dechellis / Tatsuya Nakatani: Beauty

Free music that casts a spell on you comes with a price. You are entitled to dream, imagine something different with every listen. Beauty takes many forms and everyone has their opinion. Alto saxophonist Gary Joseph Hassay Gary Joseph Hassay
b.1947
sax, alto , pianist Dan DeChellis Dan DeChellis
b.1970
piano and percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani Tatsuya Nakatani
b.1970
percussion show you their own ideas about beauty on this recent album.

The trio's music remains dark and dreamy throughout this session. Alto saxophone flirts with melody on occasion, but changes direction so abruptly and so often that nothing lingers long enough to be called a theme. The piano pounds majestically and creates the harmony, evoking impressions that roll comfortably over imaginary hillsides and through dangerous ravines. Beauty is there; however, things aren't as safe as they may seem. Stark danger lies just ahead. When you think the trio is going to move up, they move down; when you think they're slowing down for a respite, the action picks up again. Nakatani colors with variety while the others move seamlessly through an intricate landscape.

Resembling a didgeridoo, the chanting on "What We All See" looms deep and downcast. When a man's voice plays with one's imagination like that, sparks begin to fly. "Roscoe Revisited," the most animated piece on the program, allows for alto skronking and plenty of fresh passion. It's as if a storm has suddenly appeared to interrupt an otherwise clear day in the country. Hassay, DeChellis and Nakatani enjoy variety on their journey through Nature's preserve.

Track Listing: Carson's Dream; Five Roses; What We All See; Letters From Bethlehem; Roscoe Revisited; Sugar Hill and Back; On the Wall.

Personnel: Gary Hassay: alto saxophone; Dan DeChellis: piano; Tatsuya Nakatani: percussion.

Record Label: Konnex Records
Style: Modern Jazz