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| March through May – Lynne Arriale tours to celebrate 'Being Human' Being Human, pianist-composer Lynne Arriale's 17th album as a leader, is her fourth for Challenge Records International. Being Human, a suite of 10 original compositions, celebrates the ways that our lives are enriched by acts of passion, courage, love, persistence, heart, soul, curiosity, faith and joy. Featuring bassist Alon Near and drummer Lukasz Zyta, the album explores these life-affirming facets of humankind. Many of the songs are dedicated to people who've inspired Arriale, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman and Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai. "I wrote this suite in response to the division and turmoil in our world, " Arriale says. "The music focuses on qualities we all share, that define our humanity. I hope this album will be uplifting and convey a sense of unity and optimism. The dedications reflect my admiration for those who I feel personify the traits that inspired the music." In recent years, Lynne's compositions and albums have reflected current social issues. Chimes of Freedom (2020) highlights the worldwide immigration crisis and the experiences of refugees who risk everything to find a better life for themselves and their families. The Lights Are Always On (2022) examines the life-changing events wrought by COVID-19. Some compositions are named in honor of heroes, including those who served as caregivers on the front lines of the pandemic and those who defended American democracy. In Being Human, Arriale affirms the need for love, hope and unity in a world torn by the negative effects of political and cultural polarization. It is a musical inspiration to fully appreciate the incredible potential in each of us, and to best express what it means to be human. On this session Lynne is joined by bassist Alon Near and drummer Lukasz Zyta, both outstanding, in-demand musicians on the international jazz scene. The trio creates the sort of engrossing musical conversation that has become a trademark of Lynne's groups. With beauty and eloquence, Passion, dedicated to Greta Thunberg, ignites the suite in a burst of color and texture. Lynne's energetic solo drives the narrative with gorgeous lyricism. With its decisive 6/8 time signature that suggests the ironclad, implacable will of the Ukrainian people, Courage is a powerful composition that highlights the trio's polyrhythmic interplay. Love, dedicated to humankind, evokes the purity and pristine simplicity of a Bach chorale, where every note informs its gorgeous, melodic lyricism, and every dissonance enriches the composition's harmonic palette. The trio creates a sense of majesty as it performs this heartfelt anthem. Reflecting the essence of its subject, Lynne's gospel composition Faith is a simple, honest work of art. Its folk-like melody blends smoothly with Lukasz's half-time groove. Curiosity, dedicated to the autistic mathematician and physicist Jacob Barnett, is spontaneous, unpredictable, and surprising, with free improvisations that develop the theme in musical streams of consciousness. Soul is dedicated to Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate. Polyrhythmic colors and a deep, swinging groove capture both the rich history of jazz and Lynne's love for this uniquely American artform. Persistence, dedicated to Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai, reflects her tenacious, indomitable spirit and finds the players engaged in a compelling musical dialogue. Joy, dedicated to professor and author Brené Brown, is played as a calypso. The trio's performance features exuberant solos by Lynne, Alon, and Lukasz, and abounds with happiness, energy, and celebration. Sending a heartfelt message to her listeners, Lynne closes the album with a reprise of Love, played with 'voices' on the Yamaha Clavinova. Iconic pianist and composer Richie Beirach calls Being Human "an important, stunningly beautiful, powerful musical and spiritual statement. Lynne recognizes the tough realities of the world we live in, but she chooses to highlight the positive in us. Her compositions are masterpieces that reveal the pain, love, joy, suffering and triumphs of extraordinary individuals. Lynne is so much more than a jazz pianist. She, like the heroes she celebrates, exudes the wonderful essence of humanity. I don't know anyone more empathetic, big-hearted or generous of spirit." Esteemed pianist, composer and author Andy LaVerne says, "Lynne has crafted a superb selection of music which is closely tied to a thought-provoking storyline. Each of her original compositions is a well-crafted musical statement of depth and gravitas, balanced by a spirit of invention and freedom. The members of the trio interact with telepathic communication and provide the listener with a truly visceral experience. With Being Human, Lynne once again demonstrates her ability to assemble the finest players, write the most compelling compositions and weave melodic phrases of great emotion, clarity and creativity, all while conveying a captivating narrative. The blend of opposing elements, such as intensity and sensitivity, drive and restraint, strength and gentleness, consonance and dissonance, jubilance and poignancy, serve to make this music uniquely Arriale. Lynne Arriale exemplifies being human." Lynne Arriale Trio Tour Dates Celebrating Being Human Wednesday, March 6 – Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 7 and 9 p.m. Tickets: $35. Arriale with bassist Alon Near and drummer Adam Nussbaum. www.bluesalley.com Saturday, March 9 – Snug Harbor, 626 Frenchmen St., New Orleans, LA 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $35. Arriale with bassist Lex Warshawsky and drummer Tanner Guss. https://snugjazz.com/calendar/ Tuesday, March 12 – UW Madison, Hammel Music Center, 740 University Ave, Madison, WI 7:30 p.m. Free performance with UW Madison Contemporary Jazz Ensemble featuring Arriale and faculty member trumpeter/composer Chad McCullough. https://today.wisc.edu/events/tag/music Wednesday, March 13 – Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, 1584 N. Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 6:30 p.m. Free Master Class at with bassist John Christensen, drummer Mitch Shiner. https://www.wcmusic.org/concerts-events/ Thursday, March 14 –Centro Café, 808 E. Center St., Milwaukee, WI 8 p.m. Tickets: $25. With bassist John Christensen, drummer Mitch Shiner. https://centrocaferiverwest.com/events-calendar/ Friday, March 15 –Whitewater Jazz Festival, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, WI. 7:30 p.m. Free. Arriale with bassist John Christensen, drummer Mitch Shiner. https://www.uww.edu/ce/camps/music/jazzfest Saturday, March 16 – Café Coda, 1224 Williamson St., Madison, WI 8 p.m. Tickets: $25. Arriale with bassist John Christensen, drummer Mitch Shiner. https://cafecoda.club/buy-tickets/ Friday, March 22 – Timucua, 2000 S. Summerlin Ave, Orlando, FL 7:30 p.m Tickets: $30. Arriale with bassist Alon Near and drummer Adam Nussbaum. https://timucua.stellartickets.com/events/lynne-arriale-trio/occurrences/d465cc07-ddcc-4c97-b6ab-fdb071e4106a Saturday, March 23 – Friday Musicale, 645 Oak Street, Jacksonville, FL 7 p.m. Tickets: $20-$32. Arriale with bassist Alon Near and drummer Adam Nussbaum. https://fridaymusicale.com Sunday, March 24 – South Florida State College, 600 W. College Drive, Avon Park, FL 3 p.m. Tickets: $25. Syncopated Sunday Series. Arriale with bassist Alon Near and drummer Adam Nussbaum. https://www.sfscarts.org Saturday/Sunday, May 4 & 5, Metronome Brewery, 289 5th St. E, St. Paul, MN Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $50 limited seating. Sunday, 6:30 p.m. Gala tickets: $125 includes dinner and beer, dinner at 5:30. Arriale with bassist Chris Bates and drummer Adam Nussbaum. https://www.metronomebrewery.com Friday, May 10 – Constellation, 3111 N. Western, Chicago, IL 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $25. Arriale with bassist John Christensen, drummer Mitch Shiner. https://constellation-chicago.com Saturday, May 18 – Polyrhythms Third Sunday Jazz Series, 3707 Eastern Ave, Davenport, IA 5 p.m Tickets:$15 at the door. Arriale with bassist Dennis Carol and drummer Greg Artry. https://www.polyrhythms.org/third-sunday-jazz Friday, May 24 – The Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN Arriale with bassist Jeremy Allen and drummer Sean Dobbins. https://thejazzkitchen.com write your comments about the article :: © 2024 Jazz News :: home page |