Jazz Articles about Myra Melford

Myra Melford - Marty Ehrlich: Yet Can Spring

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2001

With Yet Can Spring, two esteemed modern jazz virtuosos unite for their first ever duet outing. And while multi-woodwind expert Marty Ehrlich has recorded with pianist Myra Melford’s magnificent “Extended Ensemble”, the twosome tempers the climate with this altogether comprehensive presentation consisting of eight multihued and cleverly articulated portraitures.

The duo employs a layered yet democratic approach to the material via responsive dialogue and heaps of lyrically charged sentiment as they primarily adhere to a firmly rooted compositional mindset, while ...

Myra Melford: Dance Beyond The Color

by Mark Corroto
May 1, 2000

My first exposure to pianist Myra Melford some years ago led me to believe she was a European jazz artist. Her Western European classical approach to the avant-garde keyboard was closer to Misha Mengelberg than Herbie Nichols. Recently, I learned she was born outside of Chicago and upon hearing her latest trio, Crush, I reinterpreted her percussive attack as US Grade “A” creative music. That is, if you can still credit jazz today as an American art form. Crush consists ...

Myra Melford: Above Blue / The Same River, Twice

by Robert Spencer
December 1, 1999

Myra Melford's piano is a welter of extraordinary activity, although unlike some other players with her power, even when her playing is at its most furious it always seems to be melodically, not percussively, rooted. She is once again surrounded on this disc by cutting-edge modern jazz players, especially trumpeter Dave Douglas and reedman Chris Speed. Erik Friedlander's cello, in conjunction with the drums of Michael Sarin, lends a lightness to the rhythm. This group navigates Melford's rhythmically tenuous and ...

Myra Melford & The Same River,Twice: Above Blue

by Glenn Astarita
June 1, 1999

Myra Melford returns, this time on Arabesque Records featuring her long time associates who are among the creme-de-la-creme of modern jazz. On Above Blue, Ms. Melford’s impressive track record of performing with top-notch musicians and churning out enticingly complex compositions remain intact.

Myra Melford’s brand of modern jazz is unique mainly due to her approach through composition, technical gifts and stunning arrangements. These traits are quite evident on the opener, “Two But Live”. Here, Melford’s piano performance stirs the pot ...