My Content
Membership has its privileges! Sign up or sign in to gain full access to both All About Jazz and Jazz Near You. Learn more.
Marc Johnson: Shades of Jade
Somewhat of a recluse, bassist Marc Johnson only comes out of hiding every five years or so. But when he does, it's usually to give us another nugget of inestimable value, his albums always proving to be an adventure with a healthy mix of tradition and forward-thinking originality. A veteran of one of pianist Bill Evans' last trios from the '80s, Johnson is a virtuoso artist with far-ranging tastes that have taken his own musical pursuits to many different lands. There's been the Eastern mysticism of Right Brain Patrol (1992) and the folksy nostalgia of Sound of Summer Running, a 1998 classic that was his most recent offering.
Shades of Jade proves to be somewhat of a departure. Johnson has included many aspects of his personality, going for a multifaceted recital that speaks in many grooves and offers an ensemble chemistry second to none. Both saxophonist Joe Lovano and guitarist John Scofield have worked together under the latter's leadership, while Scofield was also in integral part of Johnson's brilliant, if short-lived, group Bass Desires. Drummer Joey Baron's history with Johnson includes playing an important role on Sound of Summer Running.
Not your typical ECM album, Shades of Jade balances beautiful moments of retrospection, as in the case of pianist Eliane Elias' "Aparaceu, with more intense numbers. Based on Wayne Shorter's iconic line, "Blue Nefertiti is buoyed by Barron's explosive punctuations and "Raise dishes up a gospel mood in waltz time with Lovano in peak form. Equally worthwhile are "All Yours and "Don't Ask of Me, features for Johnson's own honeyed tones.
Track Listing: Ton Sur Ton; Aparaceu; Shades of Jade; In 30 Hours; Blue Nefertiti; Snow; Since You Asked; Raise; All Yours; Don't Ask of Me.
Personnel: Joe Lovano: tenor saxophone; John Scofield: guitar; Eliane Elias: piano; Marc Johnson: double-bass; Joey Baron: drums; Alain Mallet: organ.
Title: Shades of Jade | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: ECM Records
Tags
Related Articles
ProfilesA Vintage Year For Jessica Felix And The Healdsburg Jazz...
by Arthur R George
Published: April 19, 2018
Showcase
-
Straight Ahead by George Kahn
Story of the Day
I was first exposed to jazz while learning to play chess with my uncles. They would play smooth jazz, and then switch up to more standard types of jazz. But, when they played “Kind of Blue” by Miles Davis, I was hooked and I haven't looked back.
By Chinita Tate-Burroughs
Member since: 2018
Shop Amazon
Trending
-
44/876
Sting and Shaggy
A&M Records, 2018 -
Music For Empty Halls
Johan Lindstrom
Moserobie, 2018 -
On The Brink Of A Lovely Song
Christina von Bülow
Storyville Records, 2018 -
Code Girl
Mary Halvorson
Firehouse 12 Records, 2018 -
Spirit Fingers
Spirit Fingers
Shanachie Records, 2018 -
Sorrows & Triumphs
Edward Simon
Sunnyside Records, 2018 -
Currents, Constellations
Nels Cline
Blue Note Records, 2018
