The Hemphill String Stringtet: The Hemphill Stringtet Plays the Music of Julius Hemphill

The Hemphill Stringtet's debut album, Plays the Music of Julius Hemphill is a vibrant tribute to the late jazz composer and saxophonist Julius Hemphill (1938—1995). This string quartet, featuring violinists Curtis Stewart and Sam Bardfeld, violist Stephanie Griffin and cellist Tomeka Reid, reimagines Hemphill's compositions with a fresh chamber music perspective. Formed in 2022, the ensemble aims to amplify Hemphill's legacy as a pivotal Black American composer while infusing his blues-inflected jazz with improvisational flair rooted in African American traditions. The two-part track "My First Winter/Touchic," a medley of two pieces, exemplifies this mission, blending lyrical tenderness with dynamic grooves.

"My First Winter/Touchic" opens with the hauntingly beautiful "My First Winter," where Stewart's violin delivers a loose, emotive melody that evokes the chill and introspection of a first snowfall. The quartet's interplay is delicate yet purposeful, with Reid's cello anchoring the texture with delicate, plucked notes that nod to Hemphill's collaborator Abdul Wadud. As the track transitions into a freer, improvised bridge, Bardfeld's violin solo emerges, weaving bluesy phrases with a virtuosic edge that feels both rooted and exploratory, segueing into a free-form breakout. The shift into "Touchic" is smooth yet electrifying, as the ensemble locks into a hard-grooving odd-meter ostinato. Griffin's solo here is a standout, dancing atop the rhythmic pulse with an Ornette Coleman-like balance of freedom and fidelity to the bass line. Her lyrical improvisation, set against wispy harmonics and Reid's steady cello, captures Hemphill's knack for fusing structure with spontaneity.

The medley's strength lies in its ability to honor Hemphill's compositional voice while highlighting Stringtet's improvisational prowess. The transition from the achingly tender "My First Winter" to the lively, "Touchic" mirrors the emotional range of Hemphill's work, from introspective to boisterous. Hence, this is a testament to Hemphill's enduring relevance and Stringtet's bold vision, making it an entrancing centerpiece of this momentous endeavor.