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Quinsin Nachoff: Flux

By Mark Corroto
September 12, 2016
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Listening to Flux by saxophonist

Quinsin Nachoff

saxophone
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Quinsin Nachoff, it's easy to see in your mind's eye the DNA double helix beautifully spinning in the dark space of the human cell. That's because Nachoff composes tight, complex chamber pieces, seemingly delicate in structure, but able to withstand the attack of the jazz infantry.

Nachoff's training and experience writing for orchestras, chamber ensembles, plus new music, brings a depth to his jazz bona fides. Plus, working with heavyweights like

Ralph Alessi

trumpet
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Ralph Alessi,

Jonathan Finlayson

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Jonathan Finlayson,

Tim Hagans

trumpet
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Tim Hagans,

Jim Black

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Jim Black, and

Kenny Wheeler

flugelhorn
1930 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Wheeler has solidified his jazz credentials.

What is particularly interesting here is that the music for Flux, except for maybe the piece "Tilted" could, okay should, also be recorded by a string quartet. The music is intricately woven like chamber music, but disseminated by two saxophones, piano, and drums. Nachoff plays tenor accompanied by

David Binney

saxophone, alto
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">David Binney's alto saxophone, the piano seat is held by

Matt Mitchell

piano
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Mitchell (

Tim Berne

saxophone, alto
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Tim Berne,

Dave Douglas

trumpet
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Douglas,

Rudresh Mahanthappa

saxophone, alto
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Rudresh Mahanthappa), and the legendary Downtown drummer

Kenny Wollesen

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Wollesen. With a quartet of jazz musicians, the DNA of Nachoff's compositions undergo a kind of genetic recombination. The intricate structures remain intact, but an improviser's mutation allows for the pieces to evolve. Wollesen opens "Tightrope" with whirling hoses, before the piano signals a march of saxophones that bisect the composition to allow Mitchell's solo. The quartet's self-command is engaged in a battle with each individual player's sense of freedom, making for that agitation that marks all great music.

Switching to electric piano, Mitchell signals a smoothing out of sounds. The piece softens with both saxophonists running in parallel lines and Wollesen keeping an imperturbable pulse. That is until the music slips into, and I have to say out of nowhere, a reggae beat. At first listen, the complexity crowds the ear. With subsequent spins Nachoff's vision—let's say his playfulness—slips through.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Tightrope; Complimentary Opposites; Mind's Ear I; Mind's Ear II; Astral Echo Poem; Titled.

Personnel

Quinsin Nachoff

saxophone

David Binney: alto saxophone; Quinsin Nachoff: tenor saxophone; Matt Mitchell: piano; Fender Rhodes; Wurlitzer, Moog Rogue; organ; Kenny Wollensen: drums, tubular bells; handcrafted percussion.

Album information

Title: Flux | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Mythology Records

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