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Ron Oswanski: December's Moon

By Nicholas F. Mondello
April 30, 2013
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With the possible exception of "love" and "you," "moon" enters as a most-welcomed word-muse to performers, composers and lyricists. When "jazz organ" enters into that equation, the expected aural summation might be the blues-infused funk of

Jimmy Smith

organ, Hammond B3
1925 - 2005

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Smith or the steamy straight-ahead of

Joey DeFrancesco

organ, Hammond B3
1971 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Joey DeFrancesco.

December's Moon from multi-keyboardist/composer—and now leader—

Ron Oswanski

organ, Hammond B3
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron Oswanski, is a performance surprise that's full-moon bright and thoroughly invigorating. It's a predominantly organ-centric excursion across a series of contemporary-flavored originals and surprisingly-selected established compositions that soars.

Oswanski, a valued sideman with

Maynard Ferguson

trumpet
1928 - 2006

" data-original-title="" title="">Maynard Ferguson's Big Bop Nouveau, trumpeter

Carl Fischer

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Carl Fischer's

Organic Grooves

" data-original-title="" title="">Organic Grooves,

Organik Vibe Trio

" data-original-title="" title="">Organik Vibe Trio and others, takes command here musically and compositionally. Performing with flair on organ, accordion and piano and backed by an outstanding team well-acquainted in the style, Oswanski solidifies himself as a most able explorer—and composer— of more contemporary material in the ECM vein.

Guitarist

John Abercrombie

guitar
1944 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">John Abercrombie, no stranger to that genre, brings significant gravitas to this fine effort without overshadowing his mates. Saxophonist

Tim Ries

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Tim Ries delivers interpretations with superb lyrical, dynamic shadings.

Jay Azzolina

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Jay Azzolina's guitar, while Abercrombie-inspired, is an original and welcomed voice and bassist

John Patitucci

bass
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">John Patituccilays down a solid foundation. Drummers

Clarence Penn

drums
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Clarence Penn and

Ian Froman

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Ian Froman energize the material by way of solid communication with the ensemble and soloists.

The shrewdly-chosen selections are drawn from diverse sources ranging from jazz to the rock worlds—

Kenny Wheeler

flugelhorn
1930 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Wheeler's "Kayak" and Led Zepplin's "Rain Song," for example. Oswanski scripts seven intriguing tunes that provide gorgeous platforms for the multi-layered interpretations: "Milk of the Moon" and the hands-down killer title cut.

Never neglected by any jazz organist, there's straight-ahead ("80-80- 8," "Standard Tile") where Oswanski demonstrates he can cook with the more celebrated chefs in the organ kitchen. His accordion is a perfect sonic touch, fitting seamlessly on "Solo Por Undia" and the exotically-flavored "Ukrania Polka." His approach on that axe is—as on all three instruments (piano on "Evanessence")—highly expressive. He avoids clich�� and obnoxious "Lady of Spain" technique displays.

While Nature's December's Moon might portend a deep, dark winter ahead, December's Moon augurs a beautifully poetic performance experience from a stellar musician and his shining supporting stars.

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Track Listing

White Meadow; Solo Por Undia; December's Moon; Ukrania Polka; Mercury Retrograde; The Rain Song; Sleeping Beauty; 80-80-8; Milk of the Moon; Standard Tile; Kayak; Evanessence.

Personnel

Ron Oswanski

organ, Hammond B3

Ron Oswanski: Hammand B-3 Organ, piano, accordian; Tim Ries: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone; John Abercrombie: electric guitar (1, 5, 8, 9, 11); Jay Azzolina: accoustic guitar, electric guitar (2, 4, 6); John Patitucci: bass; Clarence Penn: drums, percussion (2-4, 6, 12); Ian Froman: drums (1, 5, 7-10).

Album information

Title: December's Moon | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Palmetto Records

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