Eddie Gripper: Americana

Americana, the second album from British jazz pianist and composer Eddie Gripper, takes inspiration from an 8,000 km hitchhiking journey he took from Alaska to California in 2022. His reflections on the warmth of the people he encountered on his journey through nine states, coupled with his impressions on the American spirit, form the basis behind the album's seven tracks.

Gripper garnered significant praise for his 2023 debut album, Home (Ubuntu Music), and has also proven himself a skilled accompanist, notably on his 2025 album with vocalist Elijah Jeffery. Here he is joined by his trio with bassist Clem Saynor and drummer Patrick Barrett-Donlon. There are six original compositions from Gripper along with a reimagining of Paul Simon's "American Tune."

The album opens with "Third Beach," which recalls the calm that followed 4,000 km of travel through the Alaskan and Canadian wilderness. His rhythmic and expressive piano flows elegantly through this engaging track, with Saynor contributing a poised solo while Barrett-Donlon adds subtle drive. Piano and bass combine on the contemplative introduction to "So Long, Oregon," before the track changes pace, becoming uplifting as Gripper's authoritative solo unfolds with purpose.

While much of the album is gentle and reflective, contrast is provided by the bright, folky "Dana" inspired by the awe of reaching the top of a peak in Yosemite National Park. Similarly, the upbeat "Ocean's Avenue" offers a touch of retro charm, featuring a spotlight for Barrett-Donlon.

Gripper had a 24-hour delay in LAX airport to distill the sadness of the journey's end and the inevitability of returning home into "Terminus." The quiet melancholy continues into the interplay on "One for the Road," which serves as a tribute to lost loved ones.

The single cover version is particularly apt. Paul Simon's "American Tune," from his 1973 album There Goes Rhymin' Simon (Columbia), seems to match the ambivalence Gripper felt at the end of his travels: "I saw incredible things and met extraordinary people, but couldn't shake the feeling that, beneath its generous optimism, America remains deeply flawed." Fortunately, Gripper's interpretation is anything but flawed, as he brings out the enduring beauty of the song, maintaining its timeless attraction.

Gripper's engaging reflections on the spirit of his American journey are elegantly performed, unhurried and carry moments of real beauty. There is a distinct grace and sophistication in his playing, and the creativity shown here is extremely satisfying, affirming his growing potential, making Americana an album that rewards multiple listens.