Richard Nant / Alan Plachta: Un Viaje

Things are happening right now in Argentina. There is a jazz scene that just seems to keep on growing and growing. Fortunately, international collaboration has also started to happen and Argentinian musicians are travelling around the world to share their special take on the jazz tradition. For instance, cutting edge pianist Paula Shocron has recently been to New York.

Another musician that is familiar with the city is guitarist Alan Plachta. In fact, his sextet with pianist Luis Perdomo, bassist Matt Pavolka, drummer Satoshi Takeishi, saxophonist Sam Sadigursky and trumpeter Richard Nant was formed in New York. Together they have released the album Un viaje, with Plachta and Nant formally billed as the leaders.

The group is a tight-knit constellation that explores different combinations of instruments and moods. For instance, "Viaje" is an abstract piece with pianist Perdomo moving into free jazz territory, but it is still built around a recognizable riff and ascending horn voices. "Go," on the other hand, introduces Nant's blistering trumpet lines in a piece that changes tempi and is both energetic and cool. Pavolka establishes a solid groove and Sadigursky plays with the deep sound of saxophonist John Coltrane.

The highlight, however, comes in the very beginning. "Leyenda" has the most gorgeous tuneful motif where the lines are played in unison and break away and dance with each other. Here, Perdomo shows himself as a true romantic, with his piano chords providing the lush setting for the piece.

On the ambitious Colectivo Argentino Uruguayo (Club del Disco, 2011) Plachta showed his ability to successfully combine different sounds and settings. Un viaje is modern chamber jazz that once again shows Plachta's ability to be catalyst for collective projects that are both experimental and accessible.