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Charles Lloyd: Defiant, Tender Warrior

By Scott Lichtman
January 31, 2024
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Feng shui—the Chinese art of physical arrangements—says that a garden is perfect when no item can be removed without diminishing its substance. Woodwind grand-master Charles Lloyd's song release, "Defiant, Tender Warrior," is a lot like feng shui in this respect. This minimalist gem blends suggestive flurries on tenor sax, ethereal reflections on piano, and a steady thrum on acoustic bass and drum kit. The treatment is so delicate that you are fully attuned to the full minute-long crescendo that begins at 1:55. To achieve this overall effect, it should be no wonder that Lloyd has brought together world-class talent—Jason Moran on piano, Larry Grenadier on acoustic bass and Brian Blade on drums. Sometimes the most refined ballads are the quietest.

Contact Scott Lichtman on All About Jazz.
Jazz/fusion keyboardist & autograph collector in Stamford CT.

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