In
2010, pianist, composer and arranger Dave Bass began recording albums.
He worked with horn players and singers including some of the top names
in jazz, including Phil Woods, Conrad Herwig, Ernie Watts, Ted Nash and
Ignacio Berroa. His albums were very well received and found their way to the top of the JazzWeek radio charts. He received great reviews from his first performance, 'Gone', with singer Mary Stallings. Bass followed 'Gone' with 'No Boundaries' (2019) and 'NYC Sessions' (2015).
But three years ago he decided to change course and evolve into a trio. This resulted in 'The Trio, Vol. 1', 'The Trio, Vol. 2' and 'The Trio, Vol. 3' on. However, he had been musically active since the 1970s, but a broken wrist decided otherwise. He then became a lawyer. For his latest project he was looking for a new configuration, and that was Tyler Miles (double bass) and Steve Helfans (drums).
He opens this CD with 'These Times', his own composition, which addresses the chaos and uncertainty of our time. Naturally this happens with free jazz and improvisations. The bluesy, yet soulful 'As Time Goes By' dates back to 1931, and can be heard in the 1942 film 'Casablanca'. 'August' is another original track, after which appears on 'One Look' Gershwin's 'Embraceable You' as a starting point and he turned it into a romantic ballad.
And 'Baby Melon' is a swinging arrangement of 'My Melancholy Baby'. 'December' is another original composition, after which 'Three Views of Bach' was influenced by Bach's 'Partita #2' for piano. Charlie Haden's 'Sandino' is the next track, followed by 'Offshore Breeze' by Denny Zeitlin. 'Duplicity' is also a cover, and the closing track 'Gone' is a revival of his debut album.
A range of music, from free jazz, via swing to classical and back. However, not so much to my taste.
Tracks:
As Time Goes By
augustus One Look
Baby Melon
December
Three Views of Bach
Sandino
Offshore Breeze
Duplicity
Gone