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Domas ?eromskas: Meditations on Providence and Perseverance, Vol. 1

By Neil Duggan
June 4, 2024
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Domas ?eromskas: Meditations on Providence and Perseverance, Vol. 1

Domas ?eromskas is a Lithuanian pianist and composer living in Boston. For his debut album, Infinite Itinerant (Vinilo Studija, 2019), he collaborated with numerous musicians from his home country. Subsequently, he worked with musicians such as

Tom Scott

saxophone, tenor
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Scott and

Jacques Schwarz-Bart

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Jacques Schwarz-Bart before forming his trio with drummer

Héctor L. Falu Guzmán

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Héctor L. Falu Guzmán and bassist

Ian Quinton Banno

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Ian Quinton Banno. This trio forms the musical backbone of Meditations on Providence and Perseverance Vol. 1.

?eromskas takes the chemistry of his trio and broadens his soundscape by bringing in twelve guests; they feature in a variety of combinations on the seven tracks. There are three tracks as a quintet, two as a sextet and two as a septet.

The opening to "Of Water and Spirit" is crafted by a softly flowing piano, a light bass, and agile drums. Percussionist

Juan Sebastian Ramirez

congas

" data-original-title="" title="">Juan Sebastian Ramirez joins Quinton Banno to drive the rhythms to greater intensity. ?eromskas' fluid piano improvisation leads onto a steel drum solo from

Luke Walker

drums, steel

" data-original-title="" title="">Luke Walker.

Brian Urra

violin

" data-original-title="" title="">Brian Urra adds violin and

Jin Lee

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Jin Lee adds alto sax as this adventurous blend of instruments finds new paths into the melody, creating a satisfying opening track. In "Stand," the same septet line-up is back, with Lin switching to soprano sax. The steel drums make an impact as the rhythms develop, with Quinton Banno leading a section which transitions into a bluesy piano solo.

The gentle "Courage That Won't Break" opens with flugelhorn from

Nadje Noordhuis

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Nadje Noordhuis. Tenor sax from

Gregory Groover Jr.

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Gregory Groover Jr. joins as the two exchange marvellous solos. The same line-up features on "As I Have Loved," with Noordhuis moving to trumpet. After a catchy start, the piano trio has a section where they play unaccompanied. They are joined in their improvisation by Groover Jr. and Noordhuis before Falu Guzmán has time for a drum solo before steering this fine track to a bluesy close.

"Kreg?dut?s" is one of the album highlights. It is taken from the musical Fire Hunt with Beaters by Lithuanian composer Giedrius Kuprevi?ius. ?eromskas employs the skills of trumpeter

Diego Hedez

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Diego Hedez in a bright arrangement which augments the rhythmic and melodic patterns, with soprano saxophonist Karolis ?arkus joining ?eromskas in producing a sparkling solo.

Two tracks feature the vocal talents of

Jádon Brooks

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Jádon Brooks. In the first, he sings the words to Psalm 139, supported by the twin alto saxophones of Lee and

Julian Brooks

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Julian Brooks. The second takes a hymn written by Catharina von Schlegel. The hymn tune comes from Jean Sibelius' symphonic poem Finlandia. In this arrangement, Brooks is joined on vocals by

Alexandria DeWalt

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Alexandria DeWalt. A fine clarinet solo from

Gregory Tardy

clarinet

" data-original-title="" title="">Gregory Tardy also heightens the enjoyment. While both of these tracks offer superior arrangements, they sit a little uncomfortably with the rest of the material.

?eromskas demonstrates generosity as a leader and is prepared to take on a supporting role. He gives his collaborators room to express themselves in his arrangements. As a result, modern jazz is combined with influences from the Caribbean and Lithuania to create a wide soundscape. His playing is inventive and fluid, with an added touch of excitement. The album is very strong compositionally and is elevated by instrumental colours, textures and pacing.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Of Water and Spirit; Courage That Won't Break; Stand; Psalm 139; Kreg?dut?s; as I have loved; Be Still My Soul.

Personnel

Domas ?eromskas

piano

Ian Quinton Banno

bass, acoustic

Héctor L. Falu Guzmán

drums

Gregory Groover Jr.

saxophone, tenor

Nadje Noordhuis

trumpet

Jádon Brooks

vocals

Luke Walker

drums, steel

Gregory Tardy

clarinet

Alexandria DeWalt

vocals

Karolis ?arkus

saxophone, alto

Diego Hedez

trumpet

Jin Lee

saxophone

Brian Urra

violin

Juan Sebastian Ramirez

congas

Julian Brooks

saxophone

Additional Instrumentation

Gregory Groover Jr.: tenor saxophone (2, 6); Nadje Noordhuis: flugelhorn (2), trumpet (6); Jádon Brooks: voice (4, 7); Luke Walker: steel drums (1, 3): Gregory Tardy: clarinet (7): Alexandria DeWalt: voice (7): Karolis ?arkus: soprano saxophone (5): Diego Hedez: trumpet (5): Jin Lee: alto saxophone (1, 4), soprano saxophone (3): Brian Urra: violin (1, 3): Juan Sebastian Ramirez: percussion (1, 3): Julian Brooks: alto saxophone (4).

Album information

Title: Meditations on Providence and Perseverance, Vol. 1 | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Domas ?eromskas

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