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Aline Homzy: éclipse

By Pierre Giroux
September 12, 2023
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An adage goes: "Patience Is A Virtue." That saying may be perfectly exemplified with the release of violin virtuoso

Aline Homzy

violin

" data-original-title="" title="">Aline Homzy's recording ?clipse, which has been ten years in the making. This Canadian-American artist's long-awaited debut combines the jazz violin tradition into the contemporary world with improvisation and subtle composition. Joining Homzy under the rubric of "Aline's étoile magique" are vibraphonist

Michael Davidson

vibraphone

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Davidson, guitarist Thom Gil, bassist

Dan Fortin

bass, acoustic
b.1985

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Fortin and

Marito Marques

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Marito Marques on drums. Special guests are

João Frade

accordion

" data-original-title="" title="">Jo?o Frade on accordion and vocalist

Felicity WIlliams

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Felicity WIlliams. The 11-track session is made up of original material by either Homzy or Davidson with the only cover

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker's "Segment."

The exploration of this new music paradigm begins with the opening track "Caraway." As Homzy draws the bow across the violin strings with a deft touch, the music spills out to transport the listener into a captivating musical realm. Her playing has been informed by the likes of

Stephane Grappelli

violin
1908 - 1997

" data-original-title="" title="">Stephane Grappelli, while at the same time, she fearlessly makes bold improvisational choices based on the virtuosity of more contemporary artists such as

Jean-Luc Ponty

violin
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Jean-Luc Ponty and

Regina Carter

violin
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Regina Carter.

The following track is "Cosmos," and it continues with the dialogue already established by Homzy. She has found the art of improvisation, and her nimble fingers are conversing spontaneously. Her compositional form harkens back to the masters such as

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington,

Charles Mingus

bass, acoustic
1922 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Charles Mingus and

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk and the attentive listener will pick up on the intervallic melodies, as well as shifts in tempi and moods, along with a sense of playfulness.

Between Homzy and Davidson and their compositions "Hanakotoba," "Circa Herself," or" Aliens Are Pieces of Wind," the nexus is that they all demonstrate a nuanced balance between complexity and accessibility, with Homzy's violin becoming a vessel of expression. The other unnamed participant in this session is the recording studio, which Homzy has used as the sixth band member. The studio was located in Kingston, Ontario and had been the recording home for the rock band The Tragically Hip. Homzy and the band spent a week recording there and used the post- production tools to help paint the picture of a vivid universe. For example, on "Mesarthim," the theremin and synth are manipulated manually to achieve the sensation that the listener is wrapped in the sound.

The Parker number "Segment" is one of his lesser-known efforts, but the enveloping arrangement still swings along nicely, spurred by Fortin's big toned bass. The other soloists, Homzy, Davidson and Gill, offer their bright ideas and uncluttered sense of phrase that showcase their understanding of the musical structure.

Aline Homzy pushes the envelope of the jazz violin tradition, and her music is a testament to the ever-evolving nature of jazz.

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Track Listing

Caraway; Cosmos; Hanakotoba; Circa Herself; Rose du ciel; Aliens are Pieces of Wind; Le belle et l’abeille; Mesarthim; Starring Space; Segment; Beinntot, We Will Collide.

Personnel

Aline Homzy

violin

Michael Davidson

vibraphone

Marito Marques

drums

Dan Fortin

bass, acoustic

Thom Gill

guitar

Jo?o Frade

accordion

Felicity WIlliams

vocals

Aline's étoile magique

Additional Instrumentation

Aline Hozmy: theramin (#8)

Album information

Title: éclipse | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Elastic Recordings

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