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Sahara von Hattenberger: 1Q84
by Hrayr Attarian
Canadian cellist Sahara von Hattenberger makes a bold statement with her debut 1Q84. Inspired by Japanese author Haruki Murakami's famous novel of the same name, the double album consists of an interpretation of composer Claude Bolling's “Suite for Cello and Jazz Piano Trio" and four commissioned pieces that are, thematically, in the same vein. A buoyant atmosphere permeates the opener, “Baroque in Rhythm," as von Hattenberger and pianist Joanne Kang duet with facile grace. Both come from a ...
Continue ReadingChristine Jensen: Day Moon
by Pierre Giroux
Christine Jensen has been described by jazz writer Mark Miller of The Globe and Mail as “one of the most important Canadian composers of her generation." Jensen grew up in Nanaimo, British Columbia with the likes of tenor saxophonist Phil Dwyer and pianist & vocalist Diana Krall but is now based in Montreal, Quebec. She originally went to that city to attend McGill University from which she received her first degree in jazz performance in 1994 and, subsequently, a Masters ...
Continue ReadingKate Wyatt: Artifact
by Dan McClenaghan
At this point, in June of 2022, there is not a lot of internet chatter concerning Montreal-based pianist Kate Wyatt. Her website does not include a biography. But a trip to YouTube land reveals a bit of music from her debut CD release, Artifact. That may be all anyone needs in terms of an introduction. It is uncertain what can be learned from those “played with" and “performed alongside" nuggets that are common in new artist intros anyway.
Continue ReadingMontreal Jazz Trio: Montreal Jazz Trio
by Dan McClenaghan
We had the Modern Jazz Quartet, sometimes tagged MJQ, from 1952 until--after a stop and start or two--the early 90's. They were a class act, playing in formal attire, playing classically-influenced jazz with a dollop (sometimes more than a dollop) of the blues. Restraint and laid back complexity was the name of the game. Now we have the Montreal Jazz Trio (we could call them MJT, though there is no indication that they have ever claimed that title) ...
Continue ReadingCODE Quartet: Genealogy
by Friedrich Kunzmann
Chordless or not, quartets tend to find a way around the necessity of vertical simultaneousness to create significant harmonies. With the Montreal-based Code Quartet it's the former variety of instrumentation, combining a vital rhythm section of drum and bass with two horns, much like Ornette Coleman's groundbreaking quartet or its logical continuation in the group Old and New Dreams. The music of Genealogy, made up almost exclusively of originals--hold the traditional “O Sacred head, Now Wounded," harmonized by Johann Sebastian ...
Continue ReadingDoxas Brothers: The Circle
by Dan Bilawsky
Family figures squarely into The Circle. For tenor saxophonist Chet Doxas and drummer Jim Doxas, brotherhood is both a literal and figurative tie. These siblings have been playing music together in various configurations from their earliest days, so their bonds truly extend from blood to bandstand. And with their father manning the board for this quartet session recorded at the family homestead in Pointe Claire, QC, it's all Doxases on deck. This album's title references the crescent ...
Continue ReadingJim Doxas: Beat and Beatitudes
by Robert J. Lewis
Very much in demand, Montreal drummer Jim Doxas divides his time playing with piano great Oliver Jones, the John Roney Trio and Chet Doxas Quartet. Through the power of his startling invention, he makes the case that percussion can be every bit as performative as a lyrical instrument. What distinguishes Doxas' approach to improvisation is that he refuses to play it safe, allowing the moment--and not received wisdom--to dictate the kind of framework that will contain, shape and guide the ...
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