From its
inception, jazz has been a unique musical language that has the ability to
cross cultures, genres, generations, and gaps that transcend the ideas of time
and space. Over the years we have seen jazz journey from ragtime,
smoky boogie-woogie, swing, bebop, cool, modal, avant-garde, and jazz
modernism. There are many cross pollinated idioms now in jazz, and many
artists interested in exploring various facets of this rich lineage.
Trinidadian
born multiple award-winning trumpet player Brownman Ali (recently nominated for
a 2015 Black Canadian Award for “Jazz Artist of the Year”) is precisely one of
those artists invested in crossing all boundaries while staying true to the
aesthetic spirit of jazz music. In what was one of his
fourteen appearances at the Toronto Jazz Festival, Brownman does something way
out of the ordinary in this performance pulling together a unique trio that
featured acoustic piano, synthesizer and trumpet with effects. They took
on standard American Songbook repertoire while delving into the ethereal
regions of the 21st century.
Accompanying
Brown’s quest into the unknown is the dependable, consistent, and
grounded acoustic pianist David Restivo (5x winner of the National Jazz Award
for “piano player of the year”), and appearing on synthesizers is a young,
fresh and invigorating 24 year old pianist and composer named Nick MacLean.
Nick is definitely an artist to look out for who has an intelligent, firm grasp
of jazz music coupled with a strong theoretical, conceptual approach to his
playing, improvising, and composing. His work on synth is adept, bringing
interplay, bass lines, and rhythmic counterpoint between trumpeter and the
pianist. Dave brings a rich harmonic language to the trio that
roots itself in the tradition while taking it into the future. And
Brown – grounding everything - is his usual dark-toned adventurous, exploratory
self, knowing exactly how to employ highly developed techniques of control and
release that engage both musicians and audiences alike as he takes us all on
his explorative improvisational journeys.
Brownman is
at Musideum once a month doing his Brownman+1 sessions. If you ever
manage to catch a “plus”, you will be in for a real musical treat.
Expect the unexpected, release your inhibitions, and allow Brown and his chosen
musical partners to take you on a roller coaster ride to the moon and back with
his always eclectic and electric approach to jazz improvisation.
OFFICIAL
BROWNMAN WEB SITE
NICK
MACLEAN WEB SITE
DAVE
RESTIVO BIO
MUSIDEUM