John Abercrombie g |
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Not since the legendary pairing of Bill Evans and Jim Hall have such a
guitarist and pianist – both recognized as harmonic innovators and unique
colorists on their respective instruments -- joined forces to create a duo,
a bonding that is truly more than the sum of its parts.
"An inspired pairing...because Copland can't conceal his alluring lyricism
any more than Abercrombie can hide his blues sensibility, they are at once
elegant and earthy, sophisticated and soulful, reflective and
free."---Washington Post
"An impeccable lyricism which here and there borders on the ecstatic, most
particularly in the gorgeous treatment of Abercrombie's old classic
'Timeless' : if anything, this surpasses his ECM original." ---Penguin
Guide to Jazz on CD, 5th ed.
"With a pianist and guitar player together, the musicians usually provide
rhythm and fill for each other's solos. But with Abercrombie and Copland the
relationship is much deeper, more complex." ---Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"Their interactions are intuitive, with each relecting the other's ideas.
One player clarifies and intensifies what the other is doing.....it's a
selfless way of playing that's much like watching the wind blow over a lake.
You can see the ripples but not the force behind it." ---Ibid.
John Abercrombie and Marc Copland's careers intersected early
and often. In the early '70s they were the young lions in Chico Hamilton's
band, and they both did stints in "Dreams," the legendary first incarnation
of the Brecker Brothers. Since the late nineties, they have joined
forces for a long list of wonderful collaborations with various ensembles:
"Second Look" (Savoy), "That's for Sure" and "Brand New" (Challenge), "And"
(Hatology), and most recently "Another Place" and "Five on One" (Pirouet).
JOHN ABERCROMBIE's maiden New York City appearance in 1970 with Dreams, a
jazz-rock group led by Michael and Randy Brecker, created a sensation. Since
then, in a career spanning more than 40 years and nearly 50 albums, John has
established himself as one the masters of jazz guitar-- a restless
experimenter, working firmly in the jazz tradition while pushing the
boundaries of meter and harmony. One of the most influential acoustic and
electric guitarists, his recordings for ECM have helped define that label's
progressive chamber-jazz reputation. While jazz-based, his style also
displays a more-than-passing familiarity with forms that range from folk and
rock to Eastern and Western art musics.
Abercrombie's early sideman credits included stints with Johnny Hammond,
Gil Evans, and drummers Chico Hamilton (where he first met Marc Copland) and
Billy Cobham. Abercrombie's first album as leader was Timeless, a trio
album with drummer Jack DeJohnette and keyboardist Jan Hammer. That was
followed by Gateway, another trio with DeJohnette and bassist Dave Holland .
Over the years he has made a long and distinguished series of recordings
for ECM as a leader, including a widely-copied revival of the traditional
organ trio, with Dan Wahl and Adam Nussbaum, and his current group, which
features violinist Mark Feldman and drummer Joey Baron. Abercrombie has
continued to be plucked for guest appearances on the recordings of other
well known artists, including those of Marc Copland and Ralph Towner.
MARC COPLAND is known as perhaps today's foremost exponent of the school of
lyrical jazz piano. His style, noted for its harmonic innovation and sense
of touch, remains accessible to the listener. Perhaps the most prolific
pianist of the millenium, Copland has recorded over 22 cds as a leader
during this decade.
As a young saxophonist, Copland played alongside John Abercrombie in Chico
Hamilton's band. He experimented with the electric alto but gradually
became dissatisfied with the direction his music was taking and, leaving New
York, quit playing the sax in order to study piano. He returned to the NY
jazz world in the mid-80s, his own vividly original style firmly in place.
As a sideman he played with Bob Belden, Jane Ira Bloom, Joe Lovano, Tim
Hagans, and James Moody, Wallace Roney.
But his career as a sideman in the Apple was relatively short-lived; Copland
began recording and touring in trio with Gary Peacock and Billy Hart (At
Night/Sunnyside, Paradiso/Soul Note) In the nineties, his reputation spread
owing to three legendary recordings with the Savoy label, which put him on
the road in an All-Star quintet (Randy Brecker, Bob Berg, and Dennis
Chambers), and later in a quartet with Abercrombie, Drew Gress, and drummer
Hart. His recordings since 2000 with several European labels brought him to
a wider audience. In 2004 he began working exclusively with Pirouet
records, making the acclaimed "New York Trio Series" and the solo classic
"Alone," all of which helped solidify his position as an innovator on his
instrument. Copland has enthralled audiences not only in trio and as a solo
pianist; his skills as an accompanist make him a sought-after duo partner,
as attested by his recordings with David Liebman, Greg Osby, Gary Peacock,
and pianist Bill Carrothers. He continues to work and record in larger
ensembles—quartets with Greg Osby, Tim Hagans, and the band "Contact"
(Abercrombie, Liebman, Gres, and Hart).