Brooklyn-based Red Piano Records is proud to announce the
release of Whispers and Cries from tenor saxophonist Noah Preminger and pianist
Frank Carlberg. This album features
Preminger and Carlberg in an intimate duo setting. Recorded at the historic
Jordan Hall in Boston, with its exquisite acoustics, on this program they
explore standards and jazz classics.
On Whispers and Cries Preminger and Carlberg engage in a
musical dialogue that ranges from hushed whispers to roaring expressions of
emotions. The duo has a deep simpatico and rather than follow each other, they
compliment each other with unerring ease. The listener is treated to a private
recital, as if eavesdropping on these two remarkable improvisers making music
together.
The program opens with a delicate reading of George
Gershwin's Someone To Watch Over Me. The piano introduction with its icy chords
and fleeting allusions to I Got Rhythm and Rhapsody In Blue (also by Gershwin)
leads to Preminger's entrance with the melody. His sound luscious and his
expression soulful, making for a memorable reading of the tune. After
improvised statements the melody is given a short recap before the last
yearning cries fade away in to silence.
Billy Strayhorn's classic Take The A Train starts with a
humorous variation on the familiar intro. Preminger and Carlberg engage in a
lively and playful exchange constantly shifting tempos and ideas around before
finally settling in to a medium tempo that leads to the piano solo.
With Embraceable You we return to Gershwin. The song is
given a straightforward reading except for the rare delicacy and sensitivity exhibited
by both the saxophonist and pianist. It is with a sense of maturity that they
trust in the music and let their sounds and expressiveness lead us to a
rarefied air of intimacy.
Thelonious Monk's Reflections starts with some searching
harmonies and a hint of It Never Entered My Mind. The duo has a rubato
conversation around the melody until the last A-section when they settle in to
tempo. After lively sax and piano statements the melody reappears before a
tongue-in-cheek multi-phonic by Preminger ends the track over piano
ruminations.
Bobby Troup's The Meaning Of The Blues, maybe best
remembered from some Miles Davis/Gil Evans collaborations (think Miles
Ahead...), is given an energetic reading here with a sense of sustain and
suspense. The track starts with Preminger's solo sax statement before the duo
converges on a pedal tone. Some extensive improvised statements follow until
the propulsion finally slows down to a halt as the melody fades in to the
ether.
The old standard These Foolish Things gets a treatment here
that owes more than a little to the Monk version on his celebrated trio
recording on the Prestige label. The stride-like piano gait leads the music
forward while Preminger hoots and hollers on top.
Otis Redding and Frank Sinatra introduced Try A Little
Tenderness to many new listeners. The track opens with a virtuosic extended
solo sax intro with shades of the melody always close by. As the piano enters
Preminger seems to be channeling Redding's treatment of the song. After the
piano takes over and the melody is restated the solo sax ends with echoes of
the intro. A true tour-de-force by Preminger.
Aura Lee is given a spacious and impressionistic treatment
here. A folk melody, known to many from Elvis Presley's (Love Me Tender)
version, finds the duo in a contemplative mood. Carlberg reaches inside the
piano and Preminger is at his breathy best before the two build to an emotional
climax and then quickly fade away.
On the old classic Tea For Two Preminger gets things
started. The duo then tumble phrases at and around each other. Carlberg takes
over and Preminger rejoins, and just like their idols (Monk, Rollins, Young
etc.)the duo improvise in close proximity to the melody. After more resourceful
melodic variations we get a final hint at the original at the end.
To close the album the duo treats us to I've Grown
Accustomed To Her Face (of My Fair Lady fame) a delicate and hushed reading.
This performance, a heartfelt tribute to the memory of Carlberg's mother, finds
the duo at its sensitive best; not a phrase or gesture too much - just a
sincere dialogue between two musicians happy and comfortable with each other's
company.
Noah Preminger has recorded numerous critically acclaimed
albums and is steadily listed as one of the best tenor saxophonists by critics
and readers on the annual DownBeat Magazine Critics Poll.
Preminger grew up in Canton, Connecticut, released his debut
album, Dry Bridge Road, just after his 21st birthday which was named Debut of
the Year in the Village Voice Critics Poll. The saxophonist has performed on
key stages around the world, and he has played and/or recorded with the likes
of Billy Hart, Dave Holland, John Patitucci, Fred Hersch, Dave Douglas, Rob
Garcia, Joe Lovano, Victor Lewis, John and Bucky Pizzarelli, Cecil McBee,
George Cables, Roscoe Mitchell, and Dr. Eddie Henderson.
The Finland-native, Brooklyn-based Frank Carlberg has an
extensive catalogue of compositions including pieces for small jazz and
improvisational groups, big band, orchestra, music for dance companies, and
over 150 songs with settings of contemporary American poetry. He has over
twenty recordings to his name as a leader and countless others as a sideman,
and has worked with the likes of Kenny Wheeler, Steve Lacy and Bob Brookmeyer.
He owns and operates Red Piano Records.
UPCOMING SHOWS
Wednesday, March 28th, Jazz at the Kitano, New York NY
Friday, March 30th, Dimensions In Jazz @ Woodfords Church,
Portland ME
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