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Art Hirahara: Open Sky

By David A. Orthmann
October 2, 2021
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At the close of each track of

Art Hirahara

piano
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Hirahara's Open Sky it feels like the slate gets wiped clean and the record begins anew. The disc is rife with turnabouts and the contrasts in character of the thirteen performances are often startling. In the first four cuts alone, an insistent post-bop line ("Groundswell") gives way to elegant, deep-seated swing ("Inimitably, Mr. B."), followed by the leader's deliciously slow, almost fragile solo piano ("Peony"), and a decidedly percussive conversation between four instruments ("Open Sky.").

The efficacy of this scene shifting can largely be attributed to a core trio of Hirahara, bassist

Boris Kozlov

bass, acoustic
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Boris Kozlov and drummer

Rudy Royston

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Rudy Royston. Each of them is a mature artist with significant resources and fully invested in change. Hirahara thrives on the varied dispositions of his own compositions, as well as one each by the two sidemen. As an improvisor he's neither patterned nor predictable, yet there's a lucid core within all of his work, even the imaginative flights of "Groundswell" and "Together, Apart." Kozlov's firm, steadfast bass lines make an impact while taking up a minimal amount of space. Even on the freer tracks, such as "Open Sky" and "Together, Apart," he always finds ways to ground the music without sounding inflexible. One never knows what to expect from Royston. He's a master of executing overlapping weights and textures and knows exactly when to back off before wearing out his welcome. Gleefully whipping out elements from a huge bag of tricks, Royston is capable of patient, straightforward time ("Inimitably Mr. B.," "Nightfall"), issuing brief, pulsating upheavals that surround Hirahara ("Groundswell," "Together, Apart"), as well as numerous other bracing and subtle percussive states.

On a handful of tracks, the trio is joined by tenor and soprano saxophonist

Nicole Glover

saxophone, tenor
b.1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Nicole Glover and vibraphonist

Behn Gillece

vibraphone
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Behn Gillece. In keeping with the record's substantial breadth, Glover reveals different aspects of her prodigious talent. For example, her smooth, unblemished tone states the open-hearted melody of Hirahara's "Mia Bella" with a disarming sincerity. During a solo that follows, her sound turns harder and more aggressive while executing long, coiled phrases that are enhanced by the leader's feverish accompaniment.

In addition to the diverse identities that he assumes in conjunction with Kozlov and Royston, Hirahara's disparate solo piano gems are spread throughout the record: "Peony," the aforementioned ballad; "Cittadella," a dreamscape without any connecting points or guidelines; and a sprightly take on George Bassman's "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" that sports a five-four time signature and occasional hints of stride piano.

It's easy to lose oneself in the variegated compositions and the vigorous musicianship of Hirahara and company. Open Sky is a terrific recording.

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Track Listing

Groundswell; Inimitably, Mr. B.; Peony; Open Sky; Mia Bella; Nao Tao Azul; Cittadella; Together, Apart; Sunday Morning; Weathered The Storm; I'm Getting Sentimental Over You; Empathy; Nightfall.

Personnel

Art Hirahara

piano

Boris Kozlov

bass, acoustic

Rudy Royston

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Nicole Glover: tenor sax (5,8), soprano sax (10); Behn Gillece: vibraphone, (4)

Album information

Title: Open Sky | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Posi-Tone Records

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Art Hirahara Concerts

Sep 25 Thu

Stacey Kent, Jim Tomlinson, Art Hirahara

Teatro Cultura Artística
S?o Paulo, Brazil

Oct 28 Tue

Stacey Kent

Ronnie Scott's
London, UK

Oct 29 Wed

Stacey Kent

Ronnie Scott's
London, UK

Oct 30 Thu

Stacey Kent

Ronnie Scott's
London, UK

Oct 31 Fri

Stacey Kent

Ronnie Scott's
London, UK

Nov 1 Sat

Stacey Kent

Ronnie Scott's
London, UK

Nov 2 Sun

Stacey Kent

Ronnie Scott's
London, UK

Nov 6 Thu

Stacey Kent, Jim Tomlinson, Art Hirahara

Theatre Of Nîmes
N?mes, France

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