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Phil Parisot: Inventions

By Jack Bowers
November 27, 2021
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Even at a time when jazz has broadened its horizons to encompass music from a wide variety of sources, it is not often that one happens upon a jazz album inspired by the life and music of Johann Sebastian Bach. However, that is the premise animating drummer

Phil Parisot

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Phil Parisot's sunlit Inventions, an astute post-bop session wherein Bach's muse may be present but whose point of view, exemplified by Parisot's stylish compositions, is decidedly contemporary.

The truth is, if Bach's name hadn't been invoked, there would be no way to discern his role in what is essentially an album of straight-ahead jazz with no discernible hint of the Baroque. But if Parisot says J. S. Bach served as his inspiration when composing (Parisot wrote all eight of the album's well-drawn numbers), that must be taken at face value. The music is certainly pleasant enough, even though there is a touch of Bach's trademark fugue only on the New Orleans-style "Pay It Forward" (it must be difficult to design a fugue for two horns, trumpet and tenor saxophone).

Speaking of those horns—trumpeter

Jared Hall

trumpet
b.1985

" data-original-title="" title="">Jared Hall and tenor saxophonist

Steve Treseler

saxophone, tenor
b.1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Treseler—they comprise a solid front line, blending well in unison and soloing capably, as does pianist

Dan Kramlich

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Kramlich. If there are more drum solos than usual, well, it is Parisot's date—and he is an excellent technician who swings hard and has plenty to say. Bassist

Michael Glynn

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Glynn—who solos smartly on the easy-flowing "Compendium" and dream-like "For the Unseen" and is a firm anchor elsewhere—rounds out the quintet. The session's unabashed flag-waver, the aptly named "Running, Leaping"—which has superb solos by all hands, especially Parisot—comes near the end, leading to the melodious and mellow finale, "Noble Calling."

A well-dressed quintet, meticulously attired by Parisot whose enticing themes, even without Bach's mastery, are well worth hearing and enjoying.

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Track Listing

From the Ancestors; Quill and Knife; Apparatus; Pay It Forward; Compendium; For the Unseen; Running, Leaping; Noble Calling.

Personnel

Phil Parisot

drums

Jared Hall

trumpet

Steve Treseler

saxophone, tenor

Dan Kramlich

piano

Michael Glynn

bass, acoustic

Album information

Title: Inventions | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: OA2 Records

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