Alberta

Recorded during a period when Schweizer was still immersed in her intense slash and burn style, she leads a quintet comprised of an all-star roster of free improvisers: vocalist Maggie Nicols, trombonist George Lewis, bassist Joelle Leandre, and percussionist Günter Sommer. The results are near perfect, with each musician given ample space to solo, and with tremendous, exciting interaction among the players. Three long pieces comprise the session, which was recorded at the International-New-Jazz-Festival-Moers to great fanfare. There are constantly expanding and contracting lines producing quick changes while the soloists jab and dart in and out. Schweizer is brilliant, one of the most underrated piano players of the late 20th century. Her command of the keyboard is complete and she uses it in its entirety with great taste and bravado. Maggie Nichols is another standout, as her mostly nonsense syllables complement the horns. George Lewis, too, is a wonder on trombone, his rapidly slinking blasts adding color and panache. In fact, there are no moments that lapse. Leandre and Sommer strike a solid chord throughout with remarkable contributions from each.