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Matt Garrison: Patchwork

By Dan Bilawsky
May 21, 2014
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Instead of simply homing in on one specific musical coordinate, saxophonist Matt Garrison decided to widen his focus and hit a few different targets with his third album. The aptly-titled Patchwork finds him looking toward "initial musical influence, educational influences, and current outcomes." It's a collection of Garrison's personalized yesterday-meets-today musical scenarios.

It's hard to know whether Patchwork should be defined as a vocal record with strong instrumental appeal or an instrumental album with a vocalist out front on the majority of the material; in all truth, it's better not to define it at all. Garrison simply delivers a balanced program of originals and covers that highlights his wide-ranging interests, arranging and composing skills, and saxophone work. He shares the spotlight on most of the material with vocalist

Melissa Morgan

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Melissa Morgan, who's in fine form throughout, and a good number of his musician friends.

The program moves in surprising directions, as Garrison tips his cap to such unlikely house mates as ��ber-hip singer-songwriter Beck ("Lonesome Tears") and trumpeter

Lee Morgan

trumpet
1938 - 1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Lee Morgan ("Ceora"), but it all works for one simple reason: Garrison's eclecticism is matched by his ability to weave disparate elements together. Garrison addresses a balance between dark and light on "How Can I Be Sure?," tackles Don McLean's "Vincent" in loyal-yet-revitalized fashion, and delivers a wind-textured "Ceora." Melissa Morgan sits out on occasion, as on the cheery and solo-filled "Steppin' Up (And Steppin' Around") and the easy-waltzing "Open To Your Advances," but she's the focal point on much of this material. Garrison proves to be a monster player, whether cooking on soprano ("How Can I Be Sure?") or oozing soul on tenor ("When Eyes Meet"), but he's not an attention hog; plenty of other players, from pianist

Nial Djuliarso

piano
b.1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Nial Djuliarso to trumpeter

Bruce Harris

trumpet
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Bruce Harris, get a chance to shine on the enjoyable Patchwork.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

How Can I Be Sure?; Steppin' Up (And Steppin' Around); Vincent; When Eyes Meet; Ceora; Fall For Me; Lonesome Tears; Open To Your Advances; First Flight.

Personnel

Matt Garrison

saxophone

Matt Garrison: tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute (8); Melissa Morgan: vocals; Bruce Harris: trumpet, flugelhorn; Mark Williams: trombone; Nial Djuliarso: piano; Yasushi Nakamura: bass; Scott Neumann: drums; Jay Azzolina: guitar; Andrew Swift: fretless electric bass; Jessica Aura Taskov: flute; Gizmordio Twizzletwackle: alto flute; Veroslav Taskov: oboe; David DeJesus: clarinet; Steven Kieley: bass clarinet.

Album information

Title: Patchwork | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Self Produced

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