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Dead Composers Club: The Chopin Project

By Jerome Wilson
July 13, 2018
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Saxophonist

Noah Preminger

saxophone, tenor
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Noah Preminger has a reputation for exploring various genres outside jazz, like protest music and old-time delta blues. He has now formed a group called Dead Composers Club, with drummer

Rob Garcia

drums
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">Rob Garcia, to perform the works of various composers who are no longer with us. With Preminger's track record that could mean anybody from

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington to Leonard Cohen, but on this first effort they turn to classical composer Frederic Chopin.

Playing Chopin seems to bring out a new playfulness in Preminger's playing. Propelled by Garcia's dramatic drumming,

Nate Radley

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Nate Radley's lyrical guitar and

Kim Cass

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Kim Cass' solid bass, he attacks Chopin's melodies with a lightness and fluidity that illuminates them but avoids really radical change. "Nocturne Op27 No.1" has the tenor carefully staking out the theme over billowing guitar and rolling drums, while on "Prelude Op28" Preminger bends and smears notes over an ominous two-step pulse beat before Radley bubbles up into raga-like runs with a psychedelic rock flavor.

The approaches the quartet take on the compositions vary from pounding to gentle. "Etude Op25 No.7" has a ribbon of serene saxophone flowing around calm, ringing guitar and bass notes, while on "Prelude Op28 No.24" Preminger soars over the brisk pace set by the rhythm section, even breaking momentarily into a swinging bit of 4/4 blowing. "Nocturne" Op32 No.2" has the feel of a gently rocking lullaby with Radley adding a

Bill Frisell

guitar, electric
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Frisell-like country twang and "Prelude Op28 No.6" begins with a straight-laced tenor sax melody wedded to a heavy drum beat before Radley and Preminger stretch out in their solos with billowing guitar and impassioned tenor squealing. One of the gentlest of all the tracks is the romantic "Nocturne Op62 No.2" where Preminger blows the theme softly and Radley, Cass and Garcia wrap around him like mist.

The lyrical beauty of Chopin's music is well present here but Preminger and the other musicians leave plenty of space to imprint their own personalities as they rush, swoon and float through these melodies. As classical-jazz hybrids go this one wins major points for liveliness and sheer beauty. This is a lush, gorgeous-sounding recording.

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Track Listing

Nocturne Op27 N?1 in C# minor; Prelude Op28 N?2 in A minor; Nocturne Op9 N?2 in Eb major; Prelude Op28 N?24 in D minor; Etude Op25 N?7 in C3 minor; Prelude Op28 N?8 in F# minor; Nocturne Op62 N?2 in E major; Nocturne Op32 N?2 in Ab major; Prelude Op28 N?6 in B minor; Prelude Op28 N?9 in E major.

Personnel

Noah Preminger

saxophone, tenor

Noah Preminger: tenor saxophone; Nate Radley: guitar; Kim Cass: bass; Rob Garcia: drums.

Album information

Title: The Chopin Project | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Connection Works Records

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