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Eyal Lovett: Eyal Lovett: Let Go

By DanMichael Reyes
February 3, 2014
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Israeli-born, Berlin-based pianist and composer Eyal Lovett has played the part of the consummate student up to this point. Lovett has studied with some of jazz's greatest luminaries like

Hal Galper

piano
1938 - 2025

" data-original-title="" title="">Hal Galper,

Sam Yahel

organ, Hammond B3

" data-original-title="" title="">Sam Yahel,

George Cables

piano
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">George Cables,

Ari Hoenig

drums
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Ari Hoenig, and

Jane Ira Bloom

saxophone, soprano

" data-original-title="" title="">Jane Ira Bloom to name a few. As a performer he has shared the stage with the likes of

Peter Bernstein

guitar
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Bernstein, Kenneth Dahl Knudsen, Michal Cohen,

" data-original-title="" title="">Anat Cohen and many more. While playing sideman and student under great names is a right of passage in the world of jazz, eventually the artist must venture off by him/herself in order to share his/her unique voice.

Lovett's felicitous debut album, Let Go (Self Produced, 2013), is a good example of veering off to share your voice. Joining Lovett on his first offering as a leader are bassist Kenneth Dahl Knudsen, drummer Aidan Lowe, along with guitarist

Ramiro Olaciregui

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Ramiro Olaciregui and saxophonist

Malte Schiller

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Malte Schiller who appear on "Giant Steps" and "Kulam Yod'im" respectively.

From the get go, Lovett showcases his delicate touch on the piano with "It's Snowing Again," a tenderly heart-aching song that features pianist' ability for story telling. While Lovett is able to display his sensitivity to creating solos with an arc, the pianist also reminds listeners that music isn't a monologue through his apt comping under Knudsen's bass solo.

While a majority of Let Go's tone highlights Lovett's gift for writing tender melodies ("2 AM" and "Let Go"), pieces like "Florentin" and "Lama Lo" emphasizes the pianist's knack to spice things up. In "Lama Lo" (Hebrew for "why not") Lovett shares his rhythmic, compositional, and harmonic prowess by navigating through its 11/8 meter while maintaining a swing that harkens to

Wynton Kelly

piano
1931 - 1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Kelly. Knudsen, who is also featured in "Lama Lo," shows that he too can negotiate Lovett's tricky compositions.

Let Go doesn't just underline the composer's ability to write a song, it also acts as a platform for Lovett to show off his cleverness for arranging . From the moment "Giant Steps" starts, it is evident that Lovett isn't just going to provide listeners with a hackneyed flaunt of endless 16th notes through Coltrane changes. Instead of the usual 400 bpm-off-to-the-races type "Giant Steps" that listeners have been accustomed to, the arranger shows off his acute talent to keep his audience interested by re-harmonizing one jazz's iconic solo changes.

The charm of Lovett's debut album can be found in the name. Let Go isn't just about producing a modern jazz album with non-functional harmonies, poly-rhythms, odd meters and virtuoso performances, this record acts as a mirror that reflects Lovett's voice as an arranger, composer, and pianist. A voice that sounds quite mature for a debut record.

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Track Listing

It's Snowing Again; Shir Lelo Shem; 2 AM; Let Go; Lama Lo; Giant Steps; Reminiscing; You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To; Kulam Yod'im; Florentin.

Personnel

Eyal Lovett

piano

Eyal Lovett: piano; Kenneth Dahl Knudsen: bass; Aidan Lowe: drums; Malte Schiller: saxophone (9); Ramiro Olaciregui: guitar (6).

Album information

Title: Eyal Lovett: Let Go | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Self Produced

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