Wishing Well, the Ellen Rowe Quartet’s second release, is, among other things, a concise study in modern jazz composition for small ensembles. The only piece not composed by Ms. Rowe is the Dietz and Schwartz standard, “Alone Together.” Ms. Rowe’s music is highly structured yet rich with melodic, rhythmic and distinctive tonal assets ripe for development and improvisation. Broadly speaking the compositions are simply formatted—intro, theme, solos, theme and coda—but the thematic material is often a complex and multiple motif blending of lyrical melodies and uncommon rhythmic and tonal attributes. These fertile concepts are often elaborately developed before the improvisational sections begin. Tenor and soprano saxophonist, Andrew Bishop, is also an accomplished composer (though not on this recording) as admirably demonstrated through his deft handling of the thematic resources at hand. The other two members of the quartet are Kurt Krahnke on bass and Pete Siers on drums. They are joined on two tracks (“For That Which Was Living, Lost” and “Longing”) by Ingrid Jensen (Berklee College of Music, Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra) on flugelhorn.
In addition to leading her own trio and quartet, Ms. Rowe has performed with Kenny Wheeler, Tom Harrell and Jiggs Whigham and has appeared twice on Marian McPartland’s NPR show “Piano Jazz.” She has a classical music background and continues to work in that vein having recently performed the Stravinsky Piano Concerto with the University of Michigan Wind Ensemble. As composer and arranger her work has been performed and recorded by the Village Vanguard Orchestra, the BBC Jazz Orchestra and Berlin Radio Jazz Orchestra. Ms. Rowe currently serves on the faculty of the University of Michigan School of Music and she directs the University of Michigan Jazz Ensemble.
“For That Which Is Living, Lost,” featuring Ingrid Jensen on flugelhorn, is a Rachel Carson inspired remembrance of flora and fauna once extant now extinct. The compositional techniques used in this piece are indicative of the structure of the rest of this collection: prelude, introduction of the theme, expansion of thematic material through embellishment and instrumentation, improvisations based on the motifs, restatement of the theme and closing. The flugelhorn and tenor sax harmonized duets are especially beautiful and Krahnke is also featured in an acoustic bass solo. “Lewisburg Bluesy-oo,” as the name suggests, is a bluesy swing that uses drum solo “breaks” punctuated with ensemble iterations rather than simply offering an extended solo drum section; a very engaging device that grabs the listener’s attention and animates the action. “Night Sounds,” dedicated to Rowe’s deceased brother, uses pentatonic scales and a strong rhythmic element highlighted by emphasis in the low registers of the piano. “Tick Tock” is built around a heavily syncopated rhythmic theme introduced by piano and tenor. “Longing” once again features Jensen on flugelhorn. Influenced by renowned trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, it embodies a sense of longing with its sustained, wistful melodies and Jensen’s expressive use of the full range of her instrument. “Sanity Clause” is a quirky, interesting composition with unusual rhythmic accents and liberal use of harmonic intervals and cyclical progressions in fifths and fourths. The title track “Wishing Well” is another beautifully written and performed piece with a memorable and haunting melody in parallel minor thirds.
If the Rowe original composition “Seven Steps To My Backyard” sounds familiar it is because it is comprised of two great and recognizable jazz works, “Seven Steps To Heaven” and “Yardbird Suite.” It is used as a vehicle for drummer Pete Siers and also features Bishop on soprano sax. Siers makes good use of the trading off of brushes and sticks and is showcased in numerous solo breaks. “For Donald” was written in memory of Donald Walden, admired Detroit music educator. Tenor saxophonist Andy Haefner, a former student of both Walden and Rowe, supplements the quartet here. Bishop again picks up the soprano sax for the standard “Alone Together” to close out the recording with some delightful sax/piano interplay.
Wishing Well is simply well done and highly enjoyable.
Key Tracks: For That Which Was Living, Lost, Lewisburg Bluesy-oo, Seven Steps To My Backyard
May 31, 2010
