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| Sam Newsome & Jean-Michel Pilc return for more duo exploration on "Cosmic Unconsciousness Unplugged" Saxophonist Sam Newsome and pianist Jean-Michel Pilc return for more duo exploration on the sonically adventurous "Cosmic Unconsciousness Unplugged" (somenewmusic) Sam Newsome – soprano saxophone and horn preparations Jean-Michel Pilc – piano Release Date: November 3rd, 2023 Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki said, "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few." He wasn't cautioning against expertise or learning, but encouraging his students to approach each moment as if it were brand new. On their new duo recording, Cosmic Unconsciousness Unplugged, saxophonist Sam Newsome and pianist Jean-Michel Pilc take this concept to heart, stepping into the studio with no preconceived ideas about what will happen next. "It's all very spontaneous, " Newsome said. "We didn't talk about the music much. We've never rehearsed, and I don't think we've ever done a second take of anything. Either it works or it doesn't. We're not coming in with any agenda, other than to get out of the way of the music that wants to reveal itself." What reveals itself is a constant restlessness, a pushing against the boundaries, whether through spontaneous improvisation or through the exploration and transformation of familiar tunes from the canon. Both Newsome and Pilc find new sounds with their instruments; Newsome by using tube extensions and noise makers for his soprano saxophone, and Pilc via prepared piano. At times on Cosmic Unconsciousness Unplugged, it's hard to identify exactly which player is making which sound, which frees the mind of the listener to explore the forest rather than count the trees. This album is a follow-up to 2017's critically praised Magic Circle, their first album of duets. In the years since, Newsome has greatly expanded the range of sounds he can pull from his instrument using his special modifications. "Since we recorded the first one, my sonic repertoire has increased significantly, " Newsome said, "so I really wanted to see how the sounds I'm working with now would work in this duo context." One of the most striking sounds is the digeridoo-like low tone of his modified soprano saxophone, heard to great effect on "Serenading Seismic Waves." Newsome first recorded an ostinato with the modified horn, over which he and Pilc then improvised. That haunting sound appears again on their version of Irving Berlin's "How Deep Is The Ocean, " a daring take on the standard that makes the question of the title seem almost ominous. Newsome is happy to mine the jazz canon for inspiration, taking a cue from guitarist Bern Nix's "avant-traditionalist" idea. "For me, it's very important to maintain those ties to the tradition, " said Newsome, "but I want to do it in my own way. I record those types of tunes when I feel like I'm free to not have to 'switch bags' and become a straight-ahead player. I'm still operating within this experimental mindset. Being free to be traditional or to be more exploratory at a moment's notice." Newsome said he chooses songs that have "been done to death" so he can clearly highlight the available possibilities: "What makes it effective is to find new ways of playing that kind of tune, and then you can give the listener insight into the uniqueness of what you do. I think in that framework, it becomes easier to appreciate and understand what I'm doing." The connection between these two master players is obvious from the first notes of the opener, "Sounds From My Morning Window." Newsome and Pilc build a gentle soundscape of piano and chimes, out of which emerges a powerful rhythmic figure. Newsome soars over the top as the piece grows and grows. If you didn't already know, you'd never guess that this all started from a blank page. The album is full of highlights: Check out Newsome's phasing soprano sound on "Dancing Like No One's Watching (But Everyone Is)" or Pilc's tender and spacious opening to "Skyward Lullaby" or their tightrope walk over "All The Things You Are." Cosmic Unconsciousness Unplugged is the result of two players at the top of their game stepping into the studio with no plan other than listening and creating. It is a true meeting of the (beginners') minds. About Sam Newsome: New York-based saxophonist and composer Sam Newsome (b. 1965 in Hampton, Virginia) often works in the medium of solo saxophone, an approach for which he gained world-wide critical acclaim with his 2009 recording, Blue Soliloquy: Solo Works for Soprano Saxophone. This recording received a five-star review in Downbeat Magazine. Newsome has since released several critically acclaimed solo saxophone CDs: Sonic Journey: Live at the Red Room (2020); Chaos Theory: Song Cycles for Prepared Saxophone (2019); Sopranoville: Works for Prepared and Non-Prepared Saxophone (2017); The Straight Horn of Africa (2014); The Solo Concert: Sam Newsome Plays Monk and Ellington (2013); The Art of the Soprano, Vol. 1 (2012). Ed Enright, from Downbeat Magazine, called The Straight Horn of Africa, "a modern masterpiece." Many of the notes and sounds used in his compositions and improvisations stem from his sound palette of extended techniques and saxophone preparations. Newsome often attaches tube extensions to the neck of the soprano that significantly changes the timbre of the instrument as well as extends the soprano's range by an octave or two. Conceptually speaking, Newsome sees himself more along the lines of a visual artist who paints with notes and sounds rather than shapes and colors. Newsome has also received numerous accolades for his adventurous work, including this year's 2020 Instant Award in Improvised Music, along with fellow avant-gardists Peter Brotzmann and John Butcher. He was also named a nominee for Soprano Saxophonist of the Year by the 2020 Jazz Journalist Association. Past recognitions include the 2018 New Music USA Grant, the 2018 Alpert/Ragdale Prize in Music Composition and the 2016 NYFA Fellowship for Music Composition In addition to his solo work, Newsome leads a trio with Hilliard Greene and Reggie Nicholson. He is a frequent collaborator with drummer Andrew Cyrille, vocalist Fay Victor, and tours regularly with Pepperland, a music and dance work by Mark Morris and Ethan Iverson that pays tribute to The Beatles. About Jean-Michel Pilc: Praised for his improvisations, pianist and composer Jean-Michel Pilc has performed with numerous jazz giants. He worked with Harry Belafonte as his musical director and pianist and performed a duet with the legendary opera singer Jessye Norman. Since he became a professional musician in the late 80's, Jean-Michel has constantly been very active internationally, touring over 60 countries. He moved to New York City in 1995 and formed his legendary trio with François Moutin (bass) and Ari Hoenig (drums). They recorded a one-week engagement at the legendary jazz club Sweet Basil and, in 2000, released two CDs: Together - Live at Sweet Basil, NYC - Vol. 1 & 2. During the following years, he released several other trio piano recordings that strengthened his reputation as an innovative and unique piano trio leader An active solo performer, Jean-Michel has released five critically-acclaimed solo piano records: Follow Me (2004), Essential (2011), What Is This Thing Called? (2015), Parallel (2018) and Symphony (2023). Jean-Michel is now a Justin Time Recording Artist. He has released three albums on the label: Alive - Live at Dièse Onze, Montréal with RémiJean-Leblanc & Jim Doxas, the solo CD Symphony, and the Pilc Moutin Hoenig album You Are The Song. A number of solo singles and EPs have also been released on the same label. Jean-Michel has built a strong international reputation as a unique educator. In September 2015, he joined the Jazz Faculty at The Schulich School of Music of McGill University in Montreal. He has become a very active constituent of the local jazz scene, participating in many Montrealbased projects as a leader, co-leader and sideman. He continues to perform with NYC-based groups such as Pilc-Moutin-Hoenig and his US Trio with Sam Minaie and Jerad Lippi. Recorded June 7, 2022 at Maggie's Farm Studio Produced by Matt Balitsaris Mixing and mastering by Katsuhiko Naito All tracks by Newsome/Pilc except where noted. 1. Sounds From My Morning Window 2. The Enigma's Melody 3. All The Things You Are (Kern) 4. The Two Faces Of Samuel Augustus 5. How Deep Is The Ocean (Berlin) 6. Cosmic Unconsciousness Unplugged 7. Bittersweet Euphoria Part 1 8. Bittersweet Euphoria Part 2 9. The Storm Before The Quiet 10. Take The A Train (Strayhorn) 11. Dancing Like No One's Watching (But Everyone Is) 12. Serenading Seismic Waves 13. Skyward Lullaby 14. Lost In Translation 15. Solitude (Ellington) write your comments about the article :: © 2023 Jazz News :: home page |