Ellery Eskelin/ Sylvie Courvoisier: Every So Often

This hour of sonically stellar studio recordings never lacks for innovation nor repeats ideas. Saxophonist Eskelin, a jazz maverick is probably best known for his trio work with drummer Jim Black and accordion player Andrea Parkins, with their 'rock the Sun Ra casbah' music. His jazz roots are often times exploded into multiple directions of rock, improv, blues, and folk. On paper, he might not be a fitting match for a Swiss-born, classical/improv chamber artist. Courvoisier, a frequent collaborator with the likes of Mark Feldman, Erik Friedlander, and John Zorn, has released several solo discs of improvisation. Together, Eskelin and Courvoisier recorded As Soon As Possible (CAM, 2008) with cellist Vincent Courtois.

While this is indeed fully improvised music, the duo is dedicated to euphonic sound. The music is never discordant as the two blend the sometimes slippery blues of Eskelin against the proper European chamber notes of Courvoisier. Her admirable band-in-a-box approach to all parts of her piano, heard on the title track, finds her knocking on wood, plucking insides, mining the utmost from the waves of energy she creates through the palpable feeling. Eskelin comments, responds, and works the edges of her energy. Later on the more direct "Accidentals," both players step up to the front line, bouncing whole notes off each other. But mostly the music tends toward a more courteous and sympathetic tone, making it possible to hear both musicians with full clarity of sound.

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