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The Brian Dickinson Quintet: The Rhythm Method

By Dan McClenaghan
January 14, 2017
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The Brian Dickinson Quintet: The Rhythm Method

Toronto-based pianist

Brian Dickinson

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Brian Dickinson explores the "quintet with a two sax front line" on The Rhythm Method. He takes his lead from the somewhat overlooked pianist/conceptualist

Lennie Tristano

piano
1919 - 1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Lennie Tristano, who broke the ground with his historic 1949 Capitol Sessions featuring

Lee Konitz

saxophone, alto
1927 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Lee Konitz on alto sax and

Warne Marsh

saxophone, tenor
1927 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Warne Marsh on tenor sax; and with his 1956 recordings with Marsh and Ted Brown, both on tenor.

The set opens on

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter's "Orion," featuring a sparkling extended solo by Dickenson that brings Shorter's collaborations with

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock to mind, while alto saxophonist Luis Deniz stretches his lines, a la Lee Konitz, and tenor sax man Kelly Jefferson blows with a sharper, more powerhouse diction.

"Bon Voyage, " a tune brimming with a floating loveliness, unrolls from the like a silken fabric from a smooth-rolling spool, with bassist

Neil Swainson

bass, acoustic
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Neil Swainson and drummer

Ted Warren

drums
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Ted Warren cushioning the rhythm with a nuanced grace. "'Tude" is more propulsive, popping and snapping, with a relentless verve.

"The Rhythm Method Suite" makes up the disc's last five turns. It serves as a spirited and exploratory tribute to the Tristano/Marsh school of music making—a cool, relaxed school that never has gone out of style, even if its roots aren't as acknowledged as they perhaps should be. And the group makes it seem so effortless—the circuitous piano solos, the flexible rhythms, the saxophone conversations—on this set of first rate compositions (all from Dickinson's pen), giving a classic, time-tested approach a compellingly beautiful, modern shine.

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Track Listing

Orion; Open Season; Bon Voyage; Moonshine; 'Tude; The Rhythm Method Suite: Lennie's Loonies; Trane Trip; Stepping Out; It's Hugh Or Nolan; Raking Leaves.

Personnel

Brian Dickinson

piano

Brian Dickinson: piano; Kelly Jefferson: tenor sax; Luiz Deniz; alto sax; Neil Swainson: bass; Ted Warren: drums.

Album information

Title: The Rhythm Method | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Addo Records

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