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Melissa Pipe Sextet: Of What Remains

By Hrayr Attarian
May 19, 2023
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On the enchanting Of What Remains, her debut as a leader, Canadian saxophonist and bassoonist Melissa Pipe delightfully blurs the boundaries between jazz and western classical music. Pipe leads a cohesive sextet on seven of her haunting originals, on the theme of time, and an arrangement of Estonian composer T?nu K?rvits' "Puudutus."

For instance, "La Part Des Anges" opens with Pipe playing the main motif on her airy bassoon, with support from drummer

Mili Hong

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Mili Hong's effervescent beats. After the hypnotic refrains set a mystical ambience, Pipe switches to baritone saxophone and, together with trumpeter

Lex French

trumpet
b.1983

" data-original-title="" title="">Lex French, she plays a darkly lyrical duet which sets the stage for multi-reed player and producer

Philippe Cote

composer / conductor
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Philippe Cote's eloquent tenor saxophone solo. The overlapping horns, with their warm glow and burnished tones, create a cinematic mood, one which pianist

Geoff Lapp

piano
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Geoff Lapp enhances with his shimmering chords.

Pipe proves her mettle as a composer on such tracks as "Ici, Ainsi" which features guest contrabassoonist Michael Sundell. Hong's rolling cadence softly roars as the winds blow long lines laden with intrigue. After the intro, the tune takes on bluesy hints with a laid back simmering dialogue between French and C?t��. Sundell brings a unique sound to the ensemble like a silvery thread through an indigo colored backdrop. The languid refrains construct a soulful and dramatic atmosphere, and conclude on a contemplative note.

Bassist

Solon McDade

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Solon McDade's pensive con arco phrases, which start off the subsequent "Fragment No. 2," form the perfect bridge between the two pieces. McDade also extemporizes with elegance followed by a melancholic dialogue between Pipe and C?t��. The exquisite layering of various instruments is nocturnesque in its feel and orchestral in its organization. Yet a restless dynamism permeates the performance primarily due to its inherent spontaneity.

With this stimulating and enjoyable album Pipe demonstrates the full breadth of her versatility and creative brilliance. If Of What Remains is any indication she is on the verge of a promising career and a musician to watch in the ensuing few years.

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Track Listing

Complainte du vent; La part des anges; Ici, ainsi; Fragment no. 2; Apothecium; Complaint du vent (reprise); Day; Puudutus.

Personnel

Melissa Pipe

saxophone, baritone

Lex French

trumpet

Philippe Cote

composer / conductor

Geoff Lapp

piano

Solon McDade

bass

Mili Hong

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Melissa Pipe: bassoon; Phillippe Cote: tenor saxophone, bass clarinet; Michael Sundell: contrabassoon (4, 5, 9).

Album information

Title: Of What Remains | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Odd Sound Records

https://soundcloud.com/melissa-pipe

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