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Away

Kris Adams

Label: Jazzbird Records
Released: 2025
Duration: 0:61:69
Views: 225

Tracks

1. Play by Michael O’Neil 4:37 2. Here by Michael O’Neil 5:08 3. Die Sehnsucht by Michael O’Neil 4:48 4. Asia by Paul Motian, arr. by Bob Degen 5:11 5. FM by Michael O’Neil 5:30 6. Anthem by Michael O’Neil 4:08 7. I Remember Albert by Eric Schultz 5:43 8. No Ordinary Girl by Michael O’Neil 8:01 9. Blessing by Michael O’Neil 4:08 10. Etude by Paul Motian 4:10 11. Away by Michael O’Neil 5:13 12. Free One (group improv) 4:01 13. Summer Vacation by Michael O’Neil 2:51

Personnel

Kris Adams

vocals

Bob Degen

piano

André Buser

bass

Peter Perfido

drums

Album Description

Michael O’Neil, a talented guitarist and composer, passed away in 2016. Drummer Peter Perfido, who was a musical associate of O’Neil’s for 30 years, rightfully felt that his unique music deserved to be remembered, so he organized the tribute album Away. For this worthy project, he is joined by singer Kris Adams, pianist Bob Degen, and bassist André Buser. Away is a set of nine O’Neil compositions plus two songs by drummer Paul Motian, one by guitarist- composer Eric Schultz, and a free improvisation. O’Neil’s music is thoughtful, quietly creative, haunting, and adventurous. Kris Adams proved to be the perfect singer for this set since her beautiful voice and wide range are often utilized for wordless long tones. Pianist Degen’s explorative solos, which may remind one in spots of Keith Jarrett and Paul Bley, consistently uplift and dig into the music while Perfido (who just takes one brief solo statement) and bassist Buser give a strong and subtle foundation to the moody music. The opener, “Play,” begins as an expressive ballad before becoming medium-tempo in a performance that celebrates the joy of play. While “No Ordinary Girl,” “Blessing,” and “Summer Vacation” are ballads that feature fetching vocals, several of the numbers (“Here,” “Die Sehnsucht” which was originally dedicated to Jan Garbarek,” “Anthem,” “Asia,” and “Free One”) put the focus on wordless singing and Degen’s piano. The pianist is showcased on several instrumentals (“FM,” “Etude,” and “I Remember Albert”) while Buser has inventive solo statements on “Anthem” and the catchy rhythmic piece “Away.” While born and raised in the United States, drummer Peter Perfido has long been a world traveler, playing music on four continents. He has performed jazz, rock, blues, and improvised music with a countless number of musicians in the US, Canada, Algeria, Hungary, Spain, Turkey, Romania, South Korea, the Philippines, Japan, Russia and Ukraine. Kris Adams began singing at an early age, performing in a touring children’s theatre and in and around Hartford before attending the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory. She has since recorded five CDs (including This Thing Called Love, Weaver of Dreams, Longing and We Should Have Danced) and has performed alongside jazz greats in New York, Los Angeles, Brazil, Germany, Italy and regularly in Massachusetts where she teaches at Berklee College. Veteran pianist Bob Degen attended Berklee during 1961–64, soon relocated to Europe, and has since performed with Dexter Gordon, Art Farmer, Carmell Jones, Albert Mangelsdorff, Buddy DeFranco, Pau Motian, and many top Europeans. He has led at least ten albums since 1968. André Buser has long been one of the busiest bassists in Switzerland. He is the director of the 14-piece salsa orchestra Picason, works with the experimental jazz/funk group Diet Bang, and has played with a variety of top European jazz artists. Together the four musicians do justice to the music of Michael O’Neil on Away, a thought-provoking album filled with subtle surprises.

Album uploaded by Kris Adams