After over two decades of collaboration, saxophonist and composer Jonathan Moritz reunites with bassist Shayna Dulberger and drummer Mike Pride for Love You to Death, the second album from their trio, Secret Tempo. Rooted in jazz tradition but committed to pushing musical boundaries, the trio continues its quest to discover new terrain between structure and spontaneity. The result is a bold, expressive collection that redefines the possibilities of the modern jazz trio.
Moritz’s decision to focus exclusively on tenor saxophone for this release marks a departure from their debut album, which featured equal parts soprano. This shift allows him to explore the tenor’s full range—from hushed whispers and rich overtones to explosive, sculptural phrasing. Critics have long recognized Moritz for his innovation and nuance, with The New York Times’ Ben Ratliff noting how his music “often sounds off the cuff when it’s actually planned, and the plans are mostly counterintuitive.” That duality—of planning and spontaneity—lies at the heart of Love You to Death.
The album embraces a looser, more improvisational approach than its predecessor. Each piece begins with a composed idea that unravels into open-ended musical landscapes. Eschewing the traditional soloist-rhythm section hierarchy, the trio performs with radical equality and deep listening, blending styles from jazz to punk, contemporary classical to metal. This wide palette yields dynamic contrasts—ethereal textures dissolve into wild swing, while intimate passages erupt into stormy energy.
Tracks like the title piece, “Love You to Death,” begin with a bluesy pulse before giving way to free-form dialogue. “Sick in Love” swings with deep interaction and playful dissonance. “I Think You Hung the Moon” slows the pace into a sparse, poetic meditation, while “Eat Your Heart Out” closes the album with exuberant, high-speed swing.
Complementing the music is artwork by Elodie Blanchard, who created whimsical illustrations inspired by love-related idioms, echoing the album’s blend of humor, emotion, and abstraction.
Moritz’s career stretches beyond performance. Since 2004, he has curated Brooklyn’s Prospect Series, a monthly house concert spotlighting experimental music. He also plays early jazz weekly in a banjo-bass/sousaphone trio, reflecting his deep engagement with jazz history. A graduate of CalArts, where he studied with Charlie Haden and Wadada Leo Smith, Moritz brings the same sense of inquiry and reverence to all his projects.
Dulberger and Pride, meanwhile, are equally prolific. Dulberger, active since 2001, has worked with William Parker and Elliot Sharp, and leads several boundary-pushing ensembles of her own. Pride, a virtuosic drummer with over 150 recording credits, leads multiple bands and has collaborated with artists from John Zorn to Amy Schumer’s touring ensemble.
Together, Moritz, Dulberger, and Pride present a musical vision that’s raw, democratic, and profoundly human. Love You to Death isn’t just an album—it’s a document of trust, risk, and the evolving language of improvisation. It’s a reminder that in an age of quick content, some art takes time to develop—and is all the richer for it.
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