JazzTimes – October 2019

similar kind of approach to this, which is kind of coming

from the jazz tradition but has some other stuff in it too.

Other players that come to mind who are coming out of the

same place would be Taylor Eigsti or Shai Maestro. For me,

they all have a similar approach, a similar sound to impro-

vising and dealing with the instrument: really precise, with

a lot of dexterity, but modern. It’s very, very modern.

2. Brad Mehldau
   “The Prophet Is a Fool” (Finding Gabriel, Nonesuch). Mehldau,
   Therevox and Oberheim OB-6 synthesizers, xylophone, piano; Am-
   brose Akinmusire, trumpet; Michael Thomas, flute, alto saxophone;
   Charles Pillow, soprano saxophone; Joel Frahm, tenor saxophone;
   Chris Cheek, baritone saxophone; Mark Guiliana, drums. Recorded
   in 2017 and 2018.

BEFORE: This reminds me of Jason Lindner’s project, Now

Vs Now. I don’t think that’s what it is, but it reminds me of

the same thing. I used to play in his big band when he used

to have that going on at Smalls. That was a while back. Okay

[refocuses]. Nice production. It reminds me of a lot of things,

but I can’t really guess. The tenor player, if I had to take some

guesses—there’s a lot of Brecker-ish things, but it doesn’t

sound like it’s Donny [McCaslin]. And it’s not Chris Potter

either. Chad Lefkowitz, maybe?

It’s Joel Frahm.

Oh! I know what this is. This is Brad’s record. I haven’t heard

this yet. Brad is so amazing, man. Such a great musician. I’ve

been looking forward to hearing this. I haven’t picked it up

yet. This is similar to the kind of thing that he did with Mark

Guiliana.

AFTER: Brad is really one of the great jazz musicians of the

last 20, 30 years. He’s way up there. Definitely one of my favor-

ites. And anything that he does is always worth checking out.

It seems as though he’s kind of taken for granted now.

That tends to happen. You can throw so many people in the

mix who have been so influenced by Brad. You can just hear

it. Robert Glasper and Aaron Parks and all the great pianists

of today have all been influenced by him. And not only his

playing, but his musical conception. But it’s easy to take for

granted now. You hear it and you’re like, “Yeah, that’s Brad.”

3. Art Pepper
   “Our Song” (Winter Moon, Galaxy). Pepper, alto saxophone;
   Stanley Cowell, piano; Howard Roberts, guitar; Cecil McBee,
   bass; Carl Burnett, drums; Nate Rubin, violin; Mary Ann Mere-

Confessions is Veronica Swift’s first effort for Mack Avenue Records
and her proper breakout debut. On the album Swift showcases the
powerfully expressive, deliciously evocative voice that’s garnered her so
many distinguished opportunities. But there’s more – some X-factors
that, in their stealthy way, make Confessions smarter, riskier and
altogether deeper than even the most stellar Songbook record.

VERONICA SWIFT

CONFESSIONS

veronicaswift.com | mackavenue.com

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x Profile: Miguel Zenón in 2005