Christopher Parnis: Everything You Could Be

There cannot be too many jazz albums that find inspiration from as broad a spectrum as NASA's Mars rover missions and the horror novels of Clive Barker. Throw in some Kenny Wheeler influences and you have Everything You Could Be, the debut album from Canadian bassist Christopher Parnis.

Parnis has been involved as a bandleader and sideman in the Canadian jazz circuit for many years. At the same time, he has also been gathering a quintet to perform his compositions. That quintet features his long-standing musical collaborator, drummer Aaron Blewett, leading pianist Brian Dickinson, trumpeter Christian Antonacci and Zimbabwean Matt Greenwood on electric guitar. Parnis composed six of the eight tracks on the album.

With its multiple sections and interesting rhythms, the opening track, "Unsettlingly Blue (Unblinking)," sets the tone for much of what is to follow. A neat guitar and trumpet introduction leads to distinctive solos from Greenwood and Dickinson, while Antonacci links everything together with his trumpet motif. "Opportunity," is named after the Mars rover Opportunity, which ceased transmitting in 2018 after 15 years of exploration. Mission control sent a final transmission consisting of Billie Holiday's "I'll Be Seeing You." Parnis uses the same chords and bases a melody on phrases used at the press conference. This results in a lyrical bass intro, shifting drums and Antonacci's searching trumpet theme over subtle support from piano and guitar.

Parnis is adept at weaving catchy melodies into his compositions. The classy "D.D.Q." is no exception, with Antonacci and Dickinson given license to improvise around the theme. "Guitar Intro," written by Greenwood, is exactly what the title suggests and serves as a gentle and melodic introduction to "Measured Response." This was composed by Parnis' father, who was also a musician. It continues the gentle and melancholy tempo with a fine bass solo and some expertly judged and paced trumpet. Blewett's also does an excellent job with supportive drums that never intrude.

The impressive "Everything You Could Be" has another catchy trumpet motif before Dickinson contributes a fresh and lively piano exploration. The track then changes direction as Antonacci improvises the way back to his motif. Offering interesting time changes, "A False Start" moves up a level, showing fine improvisation from bass, trumpet and guitar. Parnis saves the best for last with "The Cradle." Written as a tribute to author Clive Barker, this dreamy old-fashioned melody might have you fruitlessly checking to see who wrote the original. Antonacci provides some outstanding flugelhorn and Greenwood and Dickinson add their magic to round off a fine track.

Parnis' compositions are full of inventive harmonies and memorable melodies. He achieves a delicate balance on this release with tracks that have song-like structures that offer space and opportunities for improvisation. There is some overdubbing, but it is subtly done and is never distracting. There is a clever pacing of the material and the members of the exemplary quintet work with subtlety and understatement, making this an album full of personality and character.