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Ana Nelson: Bridges

By Hrayr Attarian
December 15, 2022
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Award winning multi-reed player Ana Nelson is a musical prodigy who, simultaneously, continues to evolve in her own artistry while mentoring others. On her delightful debut, Bridges, Nelson showcases her virtuosity as a performer and her inventiveness as a composer. Nelson blends her western classical education and jazz training in the seven engaging originals which feature a variety of guests, including a string quartet on two. One of these, "Blue Flower," opens with drummer

Carter Pearson

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Carter Pearson's rumbling beats setting an expectant mood. Nelson, on alto saxophone, states the wistful theme while the ensemble buoys it with their undulating cadence. Pianist

Jamaal Baptiste

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Jamaal Baptiste takes center stage with his simmering chords and cascading keys. Nelson improvises with warmth and agility as the band's cinematic refrains envelop her intriguing embellishments. The string quartet adds enchantment to the collective sound.

The second, "Let the Light In," is an intimate chamber piece with Nelson fronting the quartet on her clarinet. The woodwind's muscular phrases bounce off the resonant strings of violinists

Marina Alba López

violin

" data-original-title="" title="">Marina Alba López,

Jodi Dunn

violin

" data-original-title="" title="">Jodi Dunn, violist

Alice Ford

viola

" data-original-title="" title="">Alice Ford, and cellist

Kevin Flynn

cello

" data-original-title="" title="">Kevin Flynn. The playful repartee is bittersweet with a touch of melancholy. Overall, it is a subtle, lullaby-like, interlude before the boppish energy of the disc's closer.

The latter, "Fruit of the Groove," matches Nelson's cool alto with saxophonist

Bill Nelson

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Nelson's brassy tenor. Baptiste demonstrates his characteristic sophistication and elegance before Nelson takes off on a short, blustery solo with bravado. Drummer

Steve Houghton

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Houghton and bassist

Jeremy Allen

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeremy Allen form a dynamic pair, driving the tune with thundering excitement.

Another tenor saxophonist,

Garrett Fasig

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Garrett Fasig, shares the frontline with Nelson on "LCB." The undulating track unfurls slowly as Nelson, on alto, and bassist

Brendan Keller-Tuberg

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Brendan Keller-Tuberg perform the lyrical and captivating main motif. The tempo picks up as Perason and Baptiste join and the ambience takes on a tense and charming romanticism. Baptiste channels some baroque influences during his extemporization while Fasig provides a contrasting undercurrent to the leader's brilliant forays of spontaneity.

Nelson proves herself to be a promising, well-rounded, musician and a creative force with which to reckon. Hopefully, Bridges is an auspicious portent to a bright future.

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Track Listing

Wanderlust; Waltz; LCB; Blue Flower; NelBap Choro; Let the Light In; Fruit of the Groove.

Personnel

Ana Nelson

woodwinds

Jamaal Baptiste

piano

Brendan Keller-Tuberg

bass

Carter Pearson

drums

Garrett Fasig

saxophone, tenor

Bill Nelson

saxophone, tenor

Jeremy Allen

bass, acoustic

Steve Houghton

drums

Marina Alba López

violin

Jodi Dunn

violin

Alice Ford

viola

Kevin Flynn

cello

Album information

Title: Bridges | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Self Produced

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