Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Pitch, Rhythm and Consciousness: Sextet

Pitch, Rhythm and Consciousness: Sextet

By Thierry De Clemensat
April 22, 2025
View read count

Pitch, Rhythm and Consciousness is a collective of musicians who stand among the most representative of the New York jazz scene in 2025. Initially formed as a quartet, the group was founded by

Tony Jones

drums
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Tony Jones and Charlie Burnham, two of the most captivating artists of the ensemble, who are later joined by

Kenny Wollesen

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Wollesen,

Marika Hughes

cello

" data-original-title="" title="">Marika Hughes,

Jessica Jones

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Jessica Jones and

" data-original-title="" title="">Rashaan Carter.

Given the group's initial configuration, it is evident that their music and compositions are not meant for the uninitiated. The tone is set right from the start with the opening track, "I Shall You Want," which conveys a striking intellectual radicalism. The entire album evokes the sensation of a theatrical piece, one that leaves the listener with lingering questions. This profound artistic approach is as evident in the compositions as in the lyrics. The group's new bewitching album, Sextet, draws its inspiration from various spiritual traditions: Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Taoism, Hinduism and more.

Pitch and rhythm are the fundamental elements of music, but what about consciousness, the third component in the name of the improvisational ensemble? For the group's co-founders, tenor saxophonist Jones and violinist Burnham, consciousness is perhaps the most essential, albeit elusive, aspect in the creation of real-time harmonies.

"Tony and I strive to keep our spirituality alive," explains Burnham, whose expressive violin has graced the recordings of

James Blood Ulmer

guitar
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">James Blood Ulmer,

Cassandra Wilson

vocals
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Cassandra Wilson,

Steven Bernstein

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra, and

Living Colour

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1984

" data-original-title="" title="">Living Colour, among others. "What brought Charlie and me together is that we are both Buddhists, though from different traditions," adds Jones, a longtime collaborator and multi-instrumentalist who has worked with

Don Cherry

trumpet
1936 - 1995

" data-original-title="" title="">Don Cherry,

Cecil Taylor

piano
1929 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Cecil Taylor,

Muhal Richard Abrams

piano
1930 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Muhal Richard Abrams and

Joseph Jarman

saxophone
1937 - 2019

" data-original-title="" title="">Joseph Jarman. "It is simply part of who we are. If it did not appear in our music, it would be a deliberate choice to exclude it." The selection of new participants aligns with an artistic vision that demands deep introspection; one capable of being transcribed into sound. At this level, silence is just as significant as the notes themselves.

The music lends itself not only to spiritual meditation but also to a more philosophical contemplation. "The six musicians involved are not only colleagues but also very close friends," Burnham emphasizes. "That changes everything in terms of musical approach and studio atmosphere. There is immense trust between us. I don't have to worry—I know that whatever I propose, they will respond in the most fitting way. This is the result of many years of shared experience, and it is palpable in the music."

The conception of this album closely mirrors the process of crafting a theatrical production, often drawing from sources beyond the usual artistic domain. With the support of a grant from New Music USA, Burnham studied various religious and spiritual texts to find lyrics suitable for the album, words that would resonate with both the singers and the audience. "I wanted lyrics that were singable but also ideas that were accessible to everyone. One does not need to be Buddhist or Christian to understand what is being conveyed; these are, above all, spiritual insights expressed in a universal language."

The album opens with "I Shall Not Want," a poignant interpretation of Psalm 23 from the King James Bible, carried by Burnham's mesmerizing voice. "The Beginning of the Universe" illustrates the genesis of existence as described in the Tao Te Ching, emerging from nothingness in a whirlwind of sound.

This creation stands apart from conventional paths, offering an unparalleled richness in both musical and intellectual dimensions. It is an album to be experienced as one would admire a painting by Roland Cat, with wonder and awe.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

I Shall Not Want; The Beginning of the Universe; Tiny Little Inkling; Kush; Fundamental Blue; Trouble; Running in the Darkness; Whose Tears Are These; This Herein Goes Nowhere; Psalm for a Shared Tomorrow; Shadow Box; Prepare a Refuge.

Personnel

Pitch, Rhythm and Consciousness

band / ensemble / orchestra

Tony Jones - Saxophone

saxophone

Charles Burnham

violin

Kenny Wollesen

drums

Marika Hughes

cello

Jessica Jones

saxophone

Rashaan Carter

bass, acoustic

Additional Instrumentation

Charlie Burnham: voice.

Album information

Title: Sextet | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Reva

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Confronting AI
< Previous

Miles Okazaki and Bill Frisell at th...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.