Ilya Dynov: Bridges

Russian-born composer and drummer Ilya Dynov, a New York-based internationally recognized jazz musician, presents his debut recording on Bridges, a nine-piece repertoire of all original material capturing a neo-bop style of blistering up-tempo jazz with an adventurous slant. After immigrating to Belgium and obtaining his citizenship, where he pursued an advanced musical education, Dynov moved to New York City in 2018, quickly becoming emersed in the city's vibrant jazz scene.

For this first album, the drummer assembles an impressive array of players forming a tight quartet that packs a punch. Featured here are veteran double bassist Lonnie Plaxico, up and coming South Korean-born pianist Jihee Heo and the in-demand trumpeter Alex Norris, all playing major roles in the performances while the leader remains content in assuming a supportive posture. It is the quality of his compositions and not his performance on the drums that appears to be the most important aspect of this debut. An unselfish leader, Dynov provides plenty of space for his band to showcase their chops.

Though there are nine tracks on the album the first is a brief drum solo with the music truly starting to roll on the second piece, "Constellation," opening up with a Plaxico bass solo followed by several Norris solos on an intricate free style tune where the drummer is pronounced throughout. "Drum & Berries" has that traditional feel to it featuring a terrific melody capturing pianist Heo and the bassist Plaxico on splendid solo moments along with Dynov himself in a trio setting as the trumpeter sits this one out.

Norris returns on the light "For Those We Love," performing on the muted horn with tender keys from Heo on a delicious piece of music. The leader showcases his talents as a performer with an extended drum solo on the intro to the "Blue," a tune that the pianist takes to heart, demonstrating why she is emerging as a serious player in the NY scene.

Perhaps the finest composition on this set is the delicate somber ballad of "Hope Through Sadness," delivering a melodic musical message that there is always hope regardless of the situation. The music only gets better followed by the title track, a powerful up-in-your-face tune. The other marvelous tender tune on the album is the wonderful slow ballad of "68th Street," rich with harmony and melodic elements. Dynov bookends the album with another brief drum solo on the appropriately titled finale piece "Finale."

Little doubt about Bridges, it is quite an impressive beginning for drummer Ilya Dynov, not only as a performer but, more importantly, as a composer bringing excellent charts to life on one of the finest debuts around.