Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Jason Moran: Black Stars

Jason Moran: Black Stars

Item: Black Stars
Rating: 0
Author: Jim Santella

By Jim Santella
August 1, 2001
View read count

Jason Moran has hit the mark every time out. The adventurous pianist creates suite-like musical portraits that, in the end, will affect the growth of modern mainstream jazz. For his third album as leader, Moran has enlisted saxophonist Sam Rivers. As like-minded improvisers, the four artists drive with considerable force. What makes it work so well is that they share a common approach. Each of the quartet's members supplies a portion of the improvised music that fits that of the others quite well. Hence, they're helping each other with every effort. Moran has a wide range of dynamic values. From dark and quiet, to bright and loud, the pianist makes changes in the directions that each piece will travel. Rivers is at his best. His fluid tenor saxophone articulation makes for ease of movement. Moran's originals portray various themes; at times the music swings. Compositions by Duke Ellington, Jaki Byard and saxophonist Rivers fill out the remainder of the program. Creative music can scare traditional listeners away. When rhythms become complex and harmonies turn free, the music can sometimes lose its friendliness. Jason Moran's program retains just enough comfort, while unleashing complex ideas suitable for both the intellectual collector and the casual listener.

FOLLOW Jim Santella and get notified whenever a new article published.
Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

Track Listing

Foot Under Foot; Kinda Dukish; Gangsterism on a River; Earth Song; Summit; Say Peace; Draw the Light Out; Out Front; The Sun at Midnight; Skitter In; Sound It Out

Personnel

Jason Moran

piano

Jason Moran - piano; Sam Rivers

Album information

Title: Black Stars | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Blue Note Records

About Jason Moran

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Louis Armstrong's Public Image
< Previous

Bill Evans: Self Confidence and the ...
Next >

Tickets

Become a Sustaining Member

Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.

Help Build the Future of All About Jazz

Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.

Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.

Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.