Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Michelle Rosewoman: Spirit

105

Michelle Rosewoman: Spirit

By

Sign in to view read count
Michelle Rosewoman's musical interests are broad enough to have kept her from developing a clear image in the crowded jazz marketplace. She has recorded acoustic sets with the likes of Steve Coleman and Greg Osby, leads New Yor-Uba, a large ensemble fusing Afro-Cuban music with contemporary jazz, works as an educator with youth choirs, was commissioned by the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra to write a piece for orchestra and a quintet of jazz improvisers, and has won prizes as a composer. "Spirit" is her second trio CD, with Kenny Davis, bass, and Gene Jackson, drums (the first had Rufus Reid and Ralph Peterson), and it reveals a strong, resourceful pianist with chops to spare and a firm grounding in the wider jazz tradition.

This well-integrated trio, recorded live at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 1994, plays in a 60's-and-beyond mode, with the dashing, oblique swing, melodic clarity and harmonic flexibility made popular three decades ago by Miles' rhythm section of Hancock, Carter and Williams. That the set starts with Hancock's "Dolphin Dance" is indicative. Rosewoman penned five of the nine attractive compositions here. The others are "When Sunny Gets Blue," Rosewoman's arrangement of Afro- Cuban melodies, and "Spirit," the old Earth, Wind & Fire hit. On these last two she sings, and she is clearly a committed vocalist of the singing-in-the-shower school. No matter, she belts it out with soul, and it's fun—probably would have been more fun if you were there for the performance, though.

Piano trio fans who might otherwise have been put off by Rosewoman's modernist/Cuban affiliations will have no trouble enjoying this bright, energetic and professional performance. Special mention for Davis and Jackson, whose alert, responsive playing is half the fun.

Album information

Title: Spirit | Year Released: 1997 | Record Label: Blue Note 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.