Zaldivar | McBride | Mela: Meeting in New York: Vol. 1

Depending on what part of town one finds their jollies, Cuban-born pianist Rafael Zaldivar may or may not be a well-known curiosity seeker in these parts, as he is in Montreal, where he characteristically burns up stages both big and small. But he damn well should be, as evidenced by the music emanating forth from Meeting In New York: Vol.1, the pianist's first for 577 Records.

Spending time with raconteur bassist Christian McBride and equally rancorous drummer Francisco Mela, Zaldivar leads and lures the music like autumn sunrise shadows that ripple across an open field. Imagined and brought to grand fruition by one and all, "I Can't Be Any Other Way" warmly opens Meeting In New York: Vol.1 and the vibe lasts throughout. 

At 27, Zaldivar has stood his ground alongside Roy Hargrove, Terri Lyne Carrington, Kenny Barron, and Herbie Hancock, so the shadows cast by Mela and McBride do not intimidate. They inspire. Fluid mobility defines the worn, chestnut flavor of the closing  "Axis." "There Is Always Time to Love" rings with all the quiet romanticism a listener of free, today jazz can hope for. 

Zaldivar's curvy compositions benefit mightily from McBride, who is a perfect fit no matter what style or setting he gives himself to, and Mela, a percussionist who, by all accounts, is a lyricist at heart, and the smoky cool vibe they stamp on Meeting In New York: Vol.1. "Walking With Christian" might be the epitome of that cool as it shuffles here, ruffles there, taps a toe and makes its way along the timeline and into the spine. "I Remember Monk" clatters and rattles as you might expect a composition recalling Thelonious Monk would. Mela, who has toured with Zaldivar in the ever-present past, brings the rousing "Caribbu" to the session and each man makes it their own. Here is to looking forward to subsequent volumes.