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Jaki Byard: Sunshine of My Soul
ByThis is largely due to the crack rhythm section of Izenzon and Jones, who can follow Byard on any path he might choose to wander without getting in a tangle. Izenzon, in one of his few recorded performances in a brief career, displays a knack for fidgety bass lines and smooth bowed passages, sharing with Jones a skill at avoiding the obvious and a penchant for avoiding the beat. Both have the devilish task of following Byard’s piano adventures, which range from free jazz excursions like “Trendsition Zildjian” to a fractured reworking of “St. Louis Blues”. Nothing stays in the same place for long, as if Byard is afraid to be associated with any style and for once, this work’s to his advantage; stride passages sit comfortably next to more modern shades, with Izenzon and Jones helping immeasurably to keep the flow. “St. Louis Blues” is a good example of what the group is up to; a relatively conventional head is juxtaposed with thundering tympani and bowed bass dive-bombs.
This is about as coherent as a Byard album gets. Even the freest moments are as jarring as one might expect. Exemplifying one of jazz’s oddballs, this remains one of Byard’s most interesting and accomplished musical puzzles.
Track Listing
Sunshine, Cast Away, Chandra, St. Louis Blues, Diane's Melody, Trendsition Zildjian.
Personnel
Jaki Byard
pianoJaki Byard-piano,guitar; David Izenzon-bass; Elvin Jones-drums, tympani.
Album information
Title: Sunshine of My Soul | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Fantasy Jazz
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