Pianist John Stetch has assembled an eclectic, modern mainstream program for his 6th album as leader. The pianist’s improvising quartet weaves distinct impressions around various themes. From the ancient Japanese harmony of Stetch’s “Urakawa” to his Erik Satie tinged “Rondeau,” the pianist/composer swings with an intellectual acumen. Standards receive a smooth texture with a vibrant dynamic touch. Stetch excites the senses without turning up the heat. An audio sample of the album’s “Autumn in New York” is available from the artist’s web site .
The pianist’s post-bop composition “Point” layers dense harmonic clusters with quick light-hearted melodies that dart this way and that. Saxophonist Bill McHenry lays out for several tracks. Without him, the piano trio more closely resembles your favorite cocktail lounge offering. Careful not to rile the patrons, the ensemble maintains a dreamy atmosphere where everybody can relax and return week after week. And, as in such a friendly setting, Stetch keeps a cool composure while embellishing each melody. Crisp and articulate, the pianist says a lot but keeps his shirt on. John Stetch’s Heavens Of A Hundred Days is for jazz lovers who appreciate a dreamy session that stimulates the intellect.
Track Listing
Heavens of a Hundred Days; Urakawa; Rondeau; Duet #1; Love for Sale; Autumn in New York; Point; Duet #2; McWorld; Heavens of a Hundred Days (solo).
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
We sent a confirmation message to . Look for it, then click the link to activate your account. If you don’t see the email in your inbox, check your spam, bulk or promotions folder.
Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues,The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.