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Jason Yeager: Affirmation

By Mark Corroto
November 23, 2014
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No sophomore slump for pianist

Jason Yeager

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Jason Yeager. His trio disc Affirmation actually has the feel of a mature artist's fourth, fifth, and sixth recording. Maybe that is because his trio is a true working unit with bassist Danny Weller and drummer Matt Rousseau or possibly it's his ability to integrate varying musical concepts without sounding imitative.

Yeager's piano, under the tutelage of

Danilo Pérez

piano
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Danilo P��rez, masterfully pulls from jazz, classical, blues and pop music with a seamless approach that yields a coherent and consistent document. He pulls bits of

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk-speak on "Blues For Billy P" that morphs into a

Wynton Kelly

piano
1931 - 1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Kelly stroll complete with Weller's talking bass solo. Just when you might think you have flushed out his style, he drops a bit of

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans on you with "Achi" and some intricate chamber music by Olivier?Messiaen, "Dance Of Fury, For The Seven Trumpets."

Yes, it is enough material for three records, but Yeager is keen to both exhibit his trio's skills and entertain. That certainly makes for a richer listening experience.

Besides the trio music, Yeager invites several guests into the studio. Vocalist Aubrey Johnson sings a wordless accompaniment to "Affirmation" and renews the beauty of the Lennon and McCartney composition "Julia." Saxophonist

Noah Preminger

saxophone, tenor
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Noah Preminger lights up "Smiled First" and trades jabs with trumpeter Jean Craze on "Keep the Fire," a Latin-fired piece of hard bop. Yeager keeps things joyous on "Stumblebop" by channeling his inner Oscar Peterson and exalting swing. Each piece here feels like a concept for his next recording, but also each dissimilar composition fits into Yeager's grand unification theory.

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Track Listing

Prelude; Achi; Smiled First ; Blues for Billy P; Julia; Keep the Fire; Before the Storm; Stumblebop; Dance of Fury, For the Seven Trumpets (Excerpts); Aurora; Twelve Etude; Affirmation.

Personnel

Jason Yeager

piano

Jason Yeager: piano; Danny Weller: bass; Matt Rousseau: drums; Jean Craze; trumpet (6), flugelhorn (10); Aubrey Johnson: voice (5, 12); Noah Preminger: tenor saxophone (3, 6).

Album information

Title: Affirmation | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Inner Circle Music

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