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Greg Reitan: Bounding Line
ByThe Bounding Line represents a step forward for the trio. Reitan draws inspiration from English poet William Blake's (1757-1827) concept of a "bounding line," the idea that the sharper and more distinct the assigned boundaries are drawn for a work of art, the more potentially perfect the art. On one level, the piano trioconcerning the mainstream jazz piano trio format here; Cecil Taylor is another storyhas well-established boundaries. On another level (a subject for some other time) the underlying complexities, subtleties and dynamics of the art form, as well as the convolutions and quirks of the of artists involved, are endlessly complex. To take things further and argue against this line of thinking (who would not want to argue with William Blake?), late-career John Coltrane and Albert Ayler may have disagreed with the bounding line theoryagain, a conversation for another time.
With the idea of a bounding line in mind, Reitanwho had been gifted a residency in composer Aaron Copland's home, Rock Hill, in Cortlandt Manor, New York, in the summer of 2019went to work. Rock Hill became, in Reitan's words," My hideaway, my solitude," where he was allowed to focus on his composing. His tunes that appear on Bounding Line were germinated in Rock Hill.
"The Path" was inspired by Reitan's' evening walks with his wife during their Rock Hill residency, along the pathways that connect the Hudson River parks. "My Love Is An April Song" is a little-known Earl Zindars composition. Reitan and the trio treat it with a soft touch and respect. "Rising Sun" comes from the pen of Dave Brubeck. It appeared on his Jazz Impressions Of Japan (Columbia, 1964). The trio gives the tune a gentle, introspective calmness. The Reitan original, the relaxed and joyful "Summer Days," came from the pianist's reveries behind the large windows of Copland's music room, while his "Starting Point" sets up an endless loop that brings, compositionally, Brad Mehldau to mind.
Saving the loveliest for last, Reitan presents, fittingly, the Aaron Copland gem, "Down A Country Lane," a tune for with, perhaps, the common man in mindserene, sacred and at the same time of this earth, a beautiful thank you to the Copland House Foundation's generosity.
Track Listing
The Path; My Love Is An April Song; Summer Days; The Bounding Line; Rising Sun; Starting Point; Love No, 1; Rock Hill; Down A Country Lane.
Personnel
Album information
Title: Bounding Line | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records
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