Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The Jeff Hellmer Trio: Peak Moments

72

The Jeff Hellmer Trio: Peak Moments

By

Sign in to view read count
The Jeff Hellmer Trio: Peak Moments
The album’s subtitle is “Featuring Rick Margitza,” and the fiery Trane tracker is very much in the thick of things on this strapping post–bop session, blowing passionately on tenor (seven selections) or soprano sax (“All the Things You Are”). Margitza takes a well–earned break only on the finale, a splendid reading by Hellmer’s trio of Leonard Bernstein / Betty Comden / Adolph Green’s wistful “Some Other Time” (from the Broadway musical On the Town ). Margitza is a vastly underrated player who, like role models Coltrane, Joe Henderson and Michael Brecker, combines exemplary technique with a fondness for exploring the tenor’s upper reaches, which he does without squealing, screeching or squawking. Hellmer, a respected writer and educator as well as pianist, comps and solos with confidence, power and dexterity, while Fremgen and Mannion keep steady time and add two more capable solo voices to the mix. Hellmer wrote “Peak Moments,” Margitza “14 Bar Blues” and the waltz “Heart of Hearts,” Fremgen the ballad “Song for Laurie,” Joel Alpers and Justin Reinhardt “Expatriate Blues.” Each of them is commendable but I can’t help favoring the time–tested standards, “All the Things,” “Alone Together,” “What Is This Thing Called Love” and “Some Other Time,” perhaps in part because they seem to uncover reserves of energy that aren’t as apparent elsewhere — but that could be illusory, as given a choice between standards and originals I almost invariably lean toward the former. In any case, the entire album is top–drawer; Hellmer, his trio and Margitza make a wonderful team and there are any number of Peak Moments to savor during their challenging discourse.

Track Listing

What Is This Thing Called Love; Peak Moments; Expatriate Blues; 14 Bar Blues; Song for Laurie; All the Things You Are; Heart of Hearts; Alone Together; Some Other Time (67:07).

Personnel

Jeff Hellmer, piano; John Fremgen, bass; Ad Mannion, drums. Guest artist

Album information

Title: Peak Moments | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Viewpoint Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter 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.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.