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Bobby Avey: A New Face
ByAvey composed all eight tunes on A New Face. The writing displays a real rhythmic sensibility and a love for shifting, at times complex, patterns. Avey's playing style is similarly rhythmic: strong and confident whether creating hard-hitting chordal patterns or fast, flickering, single note runs. In Kneeland and Pearlson the pianist has a rhythm section that matches his own stylePearlson in particular displays a similar talent for hard-hitting and complex patterns. "Late November" exemplifies Avey's approach. It's complex and intricate but still manages to be readily accessible. "Delusion" is a powerful, driving, tune that finds Avey creating strong, emphatic, left-hand lines and features an impressive solo from Kneeland.
Liebman guests on four tracks, three with the trio and one, "Influence," as a duo with Avey. Liebman's approval of the young pianist is no doubt of real benefit in helping Avey to establish himself in the competitive contemporary jazz world. For the most part, Liebman's performances here are equally positive. On "A New Face" his soprano playing is exquisitea flowing, evocative, performance. On "Influence" Liebman and Avey duet with great sensitivityit's a sparse, thoughtful, tune. "In Retreat" and "Time Unfolding" are less successful. Both tunes tend to meander, lacking a strong theme, and Liebman's contributions are at times a little too intense, threatening to overwhelm the other musicians.
The most innovative and emotionally engaging tunes on A New Face are the trio performancesAvey, Kneeland and Pearlson make the most of the extra space available to them to play with confidence. This is a strong, intuitive, trio with great potential.
Track Listing
Late November; In Retreat; Delusional; A New Face; Half is Less Than Half; Influence; Insight; Time Unfolding.
Personnel
Bobby Avey
pianoBobby Avey: piano; David Liebman: soprano and tenor saxophones (2, 4, 6, 8); Thomas Kneeland: bass (1-5, 7-8); Jordan Pearlson; drums (1-5, 7-8).
Album information
Title: A New Face | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Jay Dell Records