Clovis Nicolas: Blues in Blueprint: 12 Variations on the Blues

The blues has long functioned as something equivalent to comfort food in jazz, a familiar form that musicians return to again and again. On Blues in Blueprint: 12 Variations on the Blues, bassist Clovis Nicolas embraces that tradition while subtly reframing it. Rather than treating the blues as a fixed structure, Nicolas approaches it as a living foundation, exploring the many ways it continues to shape jazz across styles and eras.

Born in the Ivory Coast and raised in France, Nicolas initially studied philosophy before turning to music at the Marseille Conservatory. He has since built a reputation as a first-call bassist, performing with artists such as Brad Mehldau, Michel Legrand, and Dee Dee Bridgewater. For this project, he assembles a trio with pianist Larry Goldings and drummer Carl Allen, resulting in an ideal format for balancing structure and freedom within the blues tradition.

The album opens with "Old Stack O'Lee Blues," a traditional tune popularized by Sidney Bechet. Nicolas and his trio give it a fresh, modern reading that retains its historical character while incorporating subtle harmonic touches somewhat reminiscent of Thelonious Monk. It sets the tone for an album that consistently bridges past and present.

While rooted in tradition, Blues in Blueprint avoids becoming a repertory exercise. Nicolas moves fluidly between eras and approaches, offering interpretations of Wes Montgomery's "Twisted Blues," Duke Ellington's "Blues in Blueprint," and Harold Arlen's "One for My Baby." Each selection highlights a different dimension of the blues, reinforcing the idea that the form is not static but continually evolving.

That evolution becomes especially clear in the inclusion of Ornette Coleman's "Ramblin,'" which underscores the blues foundation even in more open, modern-jazz contexts. Nicolas's own compositions extend this exploration further. "Hutch," for instance, places the blues within a rhythm changes framework, while pieces like "The Double Nickel" and "The Bass Speaks" showcase the trio's tight interplay and inventive approach to form.

One of the album's standout moments is "Groovy Globy," a relaxed, swinging blues with a subtle bossa nova feel. Here, the trio locks into a groove that feels both effortless and deeply connected, highlighting their musical chemistry.

The album closes with the 19th-century hymn "Abide with Me," an inspired choice that points back to the gospel roots underlying much of the blues tradition. As a closing statement, it brings the album full circle, moving from early New Orleans influences, as represented by Sidney Bechet, through modern reinterpretations and back to the spiritual origins that continue to influence the music.

Taken as a whole, Blues in Blueprint succeeds not by redefining the blues but by illuminating its flexibility. Nicolas demonstrates that even the most familiar forms in jazz can still yield fresh ideas when approached with imagination, respect, and a clear artistic vision.