Thirteen Ways

Put pianist Fred Hersch, clarinetist Michael Moore, and percussionist Gerry Hemingway together in a setting where anything goes, and you get three improvisational masters coming together as one, and playing it many more than Thirteen Ways. This trio collectively perform chamber-like jazz with traditional flair, harmonic character, and a united intent of purpose. The middle of the CD features a series of duets: the lower-dynamic clarinet and piano conversation "I Connected," the dancing steel drum and clarinet in "Steel & Clarinet" (a liltingly lovely alto sax and piano take on the standard "Speak Low"), and the kinetic, bouncy and fluid piano and drum kit treatment of "Star Eyes," with a calypso drum solo. The title track is a 16-plus-minute tour de force magnum opus that is divided into 13 sections, each inspired by individual poems that were attached to the score. It ranges from broodingly dark, two-chord piano, vibrant clarinet solo, furious clarinet and piano, solo piano, more steel drums, overblown bass clarinet, modal piano, fluttering clarinet, and Steve Reich-like minimal piano. The finest of Hersch's writing comes out on "Swamp Thang," with the slinkiest, sneakiest, snake-like clarinet and piano line, with wondrous brush work, and deserving of a big-time wow! "Brunheiras" is more a rubato ballad merging to a 6/8 figure, Moore again sounding a bird-like fluttering, while other standards, such as Monk's "Boo Boo's Birthday," and Jelly Roll Morton's "Mr. Jelly Lord" are done quite faithfully, singing with a respect worthy of aThanksgiving repast. Hersch fans will be pleasantly surprised by this effort, people who know Moore from his work with Clusone Trio will summarily be anxious to own this, and Hemingway, at the top of his game, can really do no wrong with this infinitely expressive combo. Highly recommended. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi