This post is by Dan
Recorded October 12 and 13, 1989
One of the pleasures of collecting jazz recordings is the discovery of something fresh and new. I had read the Penguin Guide's review of Chromatic Phrygian many years before I ever heard it. I had an mp3 download for a while but eventually acquired the CD, which not surprisingly opened a window to the important details and dynamics missing from the mp3. I was familiar with Franco D'Andrea's Airegin album (Red, 1991), but that did not prepare me for its amazing precursor, Chromatic Phrygian.
D'Andrea's side men were also new discoveries, and they account for much of the quality of the trio. Bill Elgart's drumming is at times reminiscent of Tony Oxley but avoids taking center stage. Stephan Schertler keeps the date on course while adding important detail and sonic variety. None of the trio member's names leap to mind in discussions about favorite jazz artists or recordings. None of them are likely to receive a Grammy nomination or enter Down Beat's Hall of Fame. Despite relative obscurity to the American jazz audience, Chromatic Phrygian stands tall in the crowded field of piano trios in the long history of jazz.
YVP is a German label, D'Andrea is Italian, Elgart is American, and Schertler is Swiss. Including Chromatic Phrygian as one of my favorites reinforces one of the themes of the blog - the internationalization of jazz in the 1980s. But that is not the main reason for including it. An album that demonstrates excellence in so many ways deserves inclusion simply because it's excellent.
Elgart - D'Andrea - Schertler
No comments:
Post a Comment