Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Ilia Skibinsky: The Passage

Ilia Skibinsky: The Passage

By Dan Bilawsky
January 24, 2013
View read count

Saxophonist

David Binney

saxophone, alto
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">David Binney's Mythology Records imprint is used sparingly, but when this maverick music man chooses to release albums under its banner, they tend to be bold and brimming with the excitement of the unknown; The Passage is no exception. With this debut, Russian-born/Israeli-bred/New York-based saxophonist/composer Ilia Skibinsky joins the elite Mythology roster, which includes post- modern piano marvel

John Escreet

piano
b.1984

" data-original-title="" title="">John Escreet and Binney himself. Skibinsky may not be as edgy as Binney, and his compositions may not be as aggressively exploratory as those of Escreet, but he shares both artists' love for the unorthodox.

The Passage presents nine original Skibinsky tunes which touch on all matter of style, sound and direction. While the majority of the album features a quartet, the two- part title track gives pause to admire some guests. Guitarist

Mike Moreno

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Moreno, trumpeter

Mat Jodrell

trumpet
b.1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Mat Jodrell and tenor saxophonist

Matthew "Narducci" Silberman

saxophone, tenor
b.1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Matthew "Narducci" Silberman help Skibinsky in his efforts to address an exciting big picture compositional esthetic. The guests depart for "Seven Skies," which finds Skibinsky mixing elegiac tones with Middle Eastern ideals. His soprano saxophone work hits a nerve here, as he fleshes out emotional tides of aural thought. His only other soprano turn—"Dorian Ways"— presents a completely different player; one who takes flight in brilliant fashion. Skibinsky assumes the role of pianist on "When We Forget," which features strings and comes off more like a film score sequence than a modern jazz tune, but that's his only appearance at the keys.

While drummer

Colin Stranahan

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Colin Stranahan's best work comes at the outset of the album, as he steers the group through the roller coaster title track(s), the virtues of Skibinsky's other band mates unfold across the program. Bassist

Edward Perez

bass, acoustic
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Edward Perez can be found doubling thoughts with Skibinsky or pianist

Glenn Zaleski

piano
b.1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Glenn Zaleski, hitting a rhythmic stride with Stranahan, or simply going his own way. As a soloist, his work is thought-provoking and measured ("Distant Lights"). Zaleski is a probing solo presence, but one without any aggression or malice in his hands and mind; he simply likes to test the waters.

Skibinsky's diverse experiences, which include theater work, television, playing a Cirque Du Soleil show, and encounters with artists like pianist

JoAnne Brackeen

piano
b.1938

" data-original-title="" title="">JoAnne Brackeen, drummer

Bobby Sanabria

congas

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Sanabria, and saxophonist

David Sanchez

saxophone, tenor
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">David Sanchez, have given him a panoramic view of the music world that informs his compositions. The Passage is full of passion, promise, intelligence and strength; if that's not a musical formula for success, it's hard to say what is.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

The Passage - Part 1; The Passage - Part 2; Seven Skies; When We Forget; Beyond The Sun; Translucent; Distant Lights; Dorian Ways; What Words Cannot Express.

Personnel

Ilia Skibinsky

saxophone, alto

Ilia Skibinsky: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone (3, 8), piano (4); Edward Perez: bass; Colin Stranahan: drums; Mike Moreno: guitar (1, 2, 5); Matt Jodrell: trumpet (1, 2, 6); Matthew Silberman: tenor saxophone (1, 2, 6); Joe Deninzon: strings (4).

Album information

Title: The Passage | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Mythology Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Jazz on Film: Beat, Square & Cool
< Previous

John Hollenbeck: Songs I Like a Lot
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.