My Content
Membership has its privileges! Sign up or sign in to gain full access to both All About Jazz and Jazz Near You. Learn more.
ELEW (Eric Lewis): And to the Republic
Appearances on television (America's Got Talent) and information conferences (TED Talks) have labeled pianist Eric Lewis (aka ELEW) as the next crossover artist who boldly shunned the establishment combining pop and rock music with improvisation. Yet underneath that flamboyant stage persona is the heart of bona fide jazz musician who won the Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition and has performed with jazz luminaries Elvin Jones, Wynton Marsalis, and Jeff "Tain" Watts and bassist Reginald Veal. It's a striking showcase of trio dynamic and Lewis's repertoire from hearty swing ("Medicine Man"), hyperactive rhythms ("Ornette") and unique yet memorable covers (Swedish electronic duo The Knife's "Heartbeats").
The program runs the gamut of thundering crescendos in "Quirkwork" where Tain obliterates the kit or delicate nuance in the appealing "Jamaica Girl." Veal weaves the iconic bass line of "My Favorite Things" while Lewis's piano reaches incredible spaces in a fresh rendition of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. The most striking effort is the title track as the trio brings dramatic imprints to actor Harry Lennix's resounding recitation of Mark Antony's speech from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Yet it's back to the streets in "The Philly Groove" with plenty of soul and a heavy backbeat. The ELEW trio does it all quite impressively. This jazz rocks.
The program runs the gamut of thundering crescendos in "Quirkwork" where Tain obliterates the kit or delicate nuance in the appealing "Jamaica Girl." Veal weaves the iconic bass line of "My Favorite Things" while Lewis's piano reaches incredible spaces in a fresh rendition of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. The most striking effort is the title track as the trio brings dramatic imprints to actor Harry Lennix's resounding recitation of Mark Antony's speech from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Yet it's back to the streets in "The Philly Groove" with plenty of soul and a heavy backbeat. The ELEW trio does it all quite impressively. This jazz rocks.
Track Listing: Medicine Man; Ornette; Lil Luba; Tones For Elvin Jones; Heartbeats (The Knife); Quirkwork; Jamaica Girl; And To The Republic: Act 3, Scene 2 Of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar ;Monk; My Favorite Things; The Philly Groove.
Personnel: ELEW: piano; Reginald Veal: bass; Jeff "Tain" Watts: drums.
Title: And to the Republic | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records
Tags
ELEW (Eric Lewis)
CD/LP/Track Review
Mark F. Turner
Sunnyside Records
Elvin Jones
wynton marsalis
Reginald Veal
And to the Republic
Related Articles
Profiles
Brother Thelonious Re-Released At California North Coast Jazz and Ale House
By Arthur R George
February 19, 2019
Profiles
Brother Thelonious Re-Released At California North Coast Jazz and Ale House
By Arthur R GeorgeFebruary 19, 2019
Album Showcase
-
Crosswinds by Christoph Irniger
-
East Of The Sun by Michael Kocour
-
Imaginary Friends by Ralph Alessi
-
Trio Tapestry by Joe Lovano
-
Swallows & Swans by Florian Ross
Jazz Poll
Help us identify the world's top 100 jazz venues. Voting takes seconds so please participate! Learn more.
Shop Amazon
Jazz Story
Jazz combines creativity from the mind, heart, and the gut. It flourishes through structure and uses melody and rhythm to bridge the musician's creativity and the listener's imagination. I try to appreciate all forms of music and styles of jazz but find myself drawn to the “hot music” of the twenties through the early thirties, including its many contemporary incarnations
Read more
By Andrew J. Sammut
Member since: 2010
