Ilya Osachuk: The Answer

Canadian bassist Ilya Osachuk is positive proof that the jazz education system in Canada and the US is in fine shape. Born in Winnipeg, Osachuk graduated from the University of Manitoba's Desautels Faculty of Music in 2021 with a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Performance. He then moved to New York and gained a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from the Juilliard School in 2023. studying bass under Ben Wolfe and Gerald Cannon and composition and arranging under Andy Farber. Having worked as a sideman with leading musicians in both countries, he has released his first album, The Answer.

While Osachuk composes, arranges and produces, it is not a solo effort. The album features him performing in two excellent piano trios. Initially, he is joined by two of his contemporaries: pianist Tyler Henderson and drummer Kai Craig, who play on five of the eight tracks. The remaining tunes feature two of his mentors: pianist Donald Vega and drummer Billy Drummond.

Originally composed in the 1930s, the opening track "I Cover the Waterfront" may have a rich vintage feel, but there is nothing old- fashioned in the way Henderson and Osachuk pick a melodic path around Craig's groove. The up-tempo rhythm of Osachuk's composition "Lviv Perspective," inspired by meeting his extended family in Ukraine for the first time, has his eloquent bass solo alongside a pulsing piano melody, ably supported by Craig's drum interjections.

Henderson's piano flows around the excellent trio interplay in the light swing of "Waltz for J." The trio tackles Thelonious Monk's "Work" with Henderson and Osachuk adroitly navigating Monk's twists and turns before they save the best for last as they excel on John Coltrane's "Satellite," Osachuk's bending strings and Craig's rhythms supporting Henderson's piano flight as the melody is moved to the end of the tune.

This may be Osachuk's debut, but it is a decided triumph as he finds a path for his deeply rhythmic voice in two excellent line-ups. Following a fine bass introduction, the second trio appears on "February," with Drummond's drums linking improvisations from Vega and Osachuk. The bright passages and inventive shifting rhythms of the title track give space for all to express themselves. Their final combination is on the atmospheric 1940s song "Tenderly." Notably covered by Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Bill Evans, this finds Osachuk at his subtle and pleasing best.

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