Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Rick Hannah / Erwin Siffer: 2-Man Jazz Band

Rick Hannah / Erwin Siffer: 2-Man Jazz Band

By Budd Kopman
November 27, 2016
View read count

Rick Hannah / Erwin Siffer: 2-Man Jazz Band

Piano and guitar is a relatively rare combination for a number of reasons including overlapping ranges and having the similar timbre of percussive string. Yes, players of both instruments spend a lot of time perfecting a singing or legato sound, but in the end they are what they are.

Instead of fighting it, with 2-Man Jazz Band, guitarist

Rick Hannah

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Rick Hannah and pianist Erwin Siffer have put together eleven arrangements that revel in their instrument's sound and the myriad ways in which they can be interwoven as solo and accompaniment (as well as unison playing) gets passed back and forth effortlessly. In the liner notes, Hannah mentions Undercurrent (1962, United Artists) by

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans and

Jim Hall

guitar
1930 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Jim Hall as the only example of this instrumental pairing he could think of. The reference to that justifiably well-known and superb album is not meant as a comparison; where Undercurrent is introspective, haunting and ruminating, 2-Man Jazz Band is bright, cheery and extroverted.

Both instruments are closely recorded, with Hannah's in the foreground. Siffer's piano is quite bright, which when coupled with his sharp attack could swamp the guitar. However, Hannah's attack is very much pick against string, causing a short, distinct space between notes which cuts through the piano when the two are playing together. That said, the two players know each other well and it shows in the arrangements, which sound spontaneous and effortless. This is music which brings a smile because the joy of playing, and playing together comes through loud and clear.

The tunes vary from older standards (Jule Styne's "I Fall In Love Too Easily") to Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Children's Games" to a pop classic by John Lennon and Paul McCartney ("Norwegian Wood") and four originals. Of particular interest are three tunes by pianist

Lennie Tristano

piano
1919 - 1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Lennie Tristano, and saxophonists

Lee Konitz

saxophone, alto
1927 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Lee Konitz and

Warne Marsh

saxophone, tenor
1927 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Warne Marsh: "Lennie's Pennies" (a reworking of "Pennies From Heaven"), "Lennie-Bird" (a reworking of "How High The Moon") and "Background Music" (a reworking of "All Of Me").

The music of Tristano, and hence of his disciples, Konitz and Marsh has been subject to much discussion and wide-ranging reaction. It has been called intellectual, cold and unemotional but also, on the other hand, highly exciting and continually surprising in the way it mixes the styles of be-bop and

Lester Young

saxophone
1909 - 1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Lester Young with many harmonic and metrical intricacies.

In any case, guitar arrangements of this music are relatively rare because of the fast tempos and twisting lines which do not lay under the hands naturally. Siffer and Hannah really shine in these pieces and get inside the style, as a listen to the originals will immediately show.

2-Man Jazz Band is a fine example of musical rapport, technical finesse and high musicianship.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Yours Is My Heart Alone; Lennie's Pennies; Children's Games; Norwegian Wood; Love; The Bicycle Song; Background Music; Diminishing Returns; Lennie-Bird; I Fall In Love Too Easily; Choupinette.

Personnel

Rick Hannah

guitar

Erwin Siffer: piano; Rick Hannah: guitar.

Album information

Title: 2-Man Jazz Band | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Best Effort Productions

PREVIOUS / NEXT

The Rolling Stones: Blue and Lonesom...
< Previous

Glamour or Gloom? Fitzgerald's Jazz ...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.