Ian Wardenski: Trust

Ian Wardenski's Quintet returns with a follow-up to Collective Thoughts (IW, 2019). The innovative bandleader and guitarist continues to create a sound that combines the aesthetics of a chamber group with the freedom, spontaneity and improvisation of a small jazz combo. Trust features Mercedes Beckman on alto saxophone, Jerry Ascione, piano, Amy Shook, bass, Frank Russo, drums, and Tamara Tucker, voice.

Wardenski furthers his collective sound by combining Tucker's agile wordless vocals with his guitar for a distinctive perspective on his angular melodies. A fine example of this is "Before Long." The intricate theme is flawlessly performed by Wardenski and Tucker, sounding like one fluid unit. For Wardenski's solo, he uses effects on his guitar sound to continue the theme of textural components.

Wardenski's use of rhythmic organization is another strong asset. "502 on Monday" has a shifting rhythmic pattern that is attention grabbing. The voice, guitar and saxophone form the thematic melodic color. Wardenski is a writer who is gifted in composing intricate melodies that sound natural and are memorable.

Trust has the Ian Wardenski Quintet performing compositions by Wardenski that build a story of textural colors and rhythmic structures. Though the music is complex, the strength and musicality of the band make it sound intuitive and natural.

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