Myra Melford - Marty Ehrlich: Yet Can Spring

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: March 1, 2001

With Yet Can Spring, two esteemed modern jazz virtuosos unite for their first ever duet outing. And while multi-woodwind expert Marty Ehrlich has recorded with pianist Myra Melford’s magnificent “Extended Ensemble”, the twosome tempers the climate with this altogether comprehensive presentation consisting of eight multihued and cleverly articulated portraitures.

The duo employs a layered yet democratic approach to the material via responsive dialogue and heaps of lyrically charged sentiment as they primarily adhere to a firmly rooted compositional mindset, while some might have surmised that this recording would lean a bit towards the outside. Otherwise, this offering presents the listener with a fairly straightforward discourse, featuring ebullient motifs and sonorous themes amid Ms. Melford’s often climactic arpeggios and daintily executed right hand leads. Meanwhile, Ehrlich once again exhibits his signature sound and style as he seemingly sings to the gods while utilizing his various woodwind instruments throughout these finely orchestrated performances.

Melford and Ehrlich render an eloquent and densely emotional blues-based spin on singer/songwriter Robin Holcomb’s “The Natural World”, as they also serve up an inviting and alluring blend of soul-drenched melodies tinged with exuberantly stated modern jazz style dialogue. A humbly gratifying exposition it is!

Track Listing: Yet Can Spring, Duiloquy, Here Is Only Moment, The Open Return, March Fantastique, The Natural World, Yellow Are Crowds of Flowers, I, Don

Personnel: Marty Ehrlich; alto saxophone, clarinet & bass clarinet: Myra Melford; piano

Record Label: Arabesque Jazz
Style: Modern Jazz