Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Suresh Singaratnam: Lost in New York

Suresh Singaratnam: Lost in New York

By John Barron
February 11, 2010
View read count

New York-based trumpeter/composer Suresh Singaratnam makes his debut as a leader with Lost in New York, a well-conceptualized set of original progressive jazz. A recent graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, the Toronto native explores a musical landscape as diverse as his adopted New York home, toying with syncopated ostinatos, extended vamps, layered rhythms and straight-up bebop.

Singaratnam is an agile improviser with strong technique who can manage his way through an up-tempo blues like "M104" and the harmonically-rich medium swinger "Chrysanthemum."

More than a mere showcase for an up-and-coming trumpeter, the disc is as much a vehicle for Singaratnam's sidemen, especially saxophonist Jake Saslow and pianist Fabian Almazan, who are featured prominently throughout. Saslow's lyrical tenor playing shines on the fast-paced "Peripheral Fission" and saves the drawn out "Fortress of Song" from becoming overly redundant. Almazan throws caution to the wind while soloing and accompanies with sensitivity and rhythmic precision.

Other disc highlights include guitarist Jessie Lewis' extended solo on the boppish "Beneath a Smile" and bassist Fraser Hollins' melodic turn on the spirited waltz "She Spoke Well."

All in all, Lost in New York is a strong, honestly-conceived effort from a group of interesting young voices in jazz.

Track Listing

Temporal Incursions; M104; Beneath a Smile; Spring For All But Me; Chrysanthemum; Fortress of Song; Remnants of Eternity; She Spoke Well; Peripheral Fission.

Personnel

Suresh Singaratnam

trumpet

Jake Saslow

Charenee Wade

vocals

Jesse Lewis

guitar

Fabian Almazan

piano

James Reynolds

piano

Fraser Hollins

bass

Lee Pearson

drums

Album information

Title: Lost in New York | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Suresong Music

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Initiation
< Previous

Ron McClure: Lookout Farms and New M...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make 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.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves 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.