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| Sept. 20 – Giant Step Arts presents two albums from saxophonist Ben Solomon Longtime Wallace Roney tenor saxophonist and Berklee College of Music graduate Ben Solomon joins the Giant Step Arts roster with two albums: Echolocation, a quartet date recorded at Hunter College's Ida K. Lang Hall as part of Giant Step Arts' Open Recording Session/Concert series, and Chromatophores II, classical études for solo saxophone. Echolocation finds Solomon taking inspiration from the works of his musical heroes to craft six compelling new compositions for a quartet of in-demand sidemen while Chromatophores II is based on Solomon's second volume of the book of the same name. It was hearing John Coltrane and Miles Davis that propelled a young Solomon, just starting out on his instrument, towards dreams of being a professional musician. He came to New York for advanced study and then attended the "university of the bandstand" when he was tapped by late trumpeter Wallace Roney to be a part of his group. He spent five years with Roney, during which time he gained invaluable experience playing with the likes of Buster Williams, Lenny White, Patrice Rushen, Gary Bartz, Ron Carter and others, and appeared on two of his albums. It was with Roney and then Greg Murphy and Géraud Portal that Solomon got the chance to work with drummer Kush Abadey, who anchors Solomon's band with pianist Davis Whitfield and bassist Rashaan Carter on Echolocation. Jimmy Katz Echolocation and Chromatophores II were projects born from the forced isolation of the pandemic. The former is the process by which certain animals navigate their surroundings, using sound waves to map terrain, identify prey and predators and interact with others of their species. Solomon has adapted this biological process into a musical one, whereby a band becomes a living organism, using the sounds of instruments as a means of defining space and time. The latter are cells used by members of certain orders to change color, whether for protection, as a method of hunting or during the mating ritual, here presented as an analogue for how musicians can use small technical changes to great musical effect. There are echoes, literal and figurative, of Coltrane in the opening title track of Echolocation. "Scene Change", which follows, is propulsive through strong playing from the rhythm section. "Reflection Pool" starts out with ripples from Davis, which expand to full waves from the ensemble. The brief, drum-centered "Interlude from the 5th" is a palate-cleanser for the mesmerizing dance of "Will'o'Wisp", which is the album highlight and best showcase for Solomon's rich tone, again summoning Coltrane in its force and fearlessness. "Blue Light", which closes the album, pays tribute to the blues, the foundation from which all jazz flows, and features a solo from Carter, whose work throughout is crucial to the album's success. Chromatophores II is Solomon exploring key modulation across 12 brief études, using the technique to foster harmonic development and fuller understanding of the saxophone's sonic capabilities. Echolocation and Chromatophores II are the latest entries in Giant Step Arts' new series Modern Masters and New Horizons. Specially curated by trumpeter Jason Palmer and drummer Nasheet Waits, the series features artists who have helped shape the modern jazz landscape along with rising voices doing the same for the next generation. Artists slated to contribute include Waits, Palmer, saxophonists Mark Turner, Neta Raanan, Ben Solomon, Rico Jones, drummer Eric McPherson, "The Fury" quartet of Mark Turner, Tyshawn Sorey, Lage Lund and Matt Brewer and the Edward Pérez/Michael Thomas Band. Giant Step Arts Founded by Jimmy and Dena Katz in January 2018, Giant Step Arts is an innovative, artist-focused non-profit organization dedicated to commissioning and showcasing the work of some of modern jazz's most innovative artists. In an era where it is increasingly difficult for musicians to earn a living, Giant Step Arts offers artists the creative and financial resources to create bold music free of commercial pressure and with total control of their artistic projects. For the musicians it chooses to work with, by invitation only, Giant Step Arts: • presents premiere performances • records these performances for independent release • provides the artists with digital downloads and CDs to sell; artists retain complete ownership of their masters • provides the artists with photos for promotional use • provides PR support for the recordings Katz says: "Giant Step Arts exists to aid musicians in realizing their artistic dreams. It does not sell music and artists retain full rights to their music. We work tirelessly to raise funds with the goal of helping more musicians." Jimmy Katz Through his award-winning photography with wife Dena Katz and his esteemed work as a recording engineer, Katz has spent nearly 30 years helping to shape the way audiences see and hear jazz musicians. Katz has been part of more than 600 recording projects—many historic—and has photographed more than 200 magazine covers. Whether taken in the studio, in the clubs, on the streets or in the musicians' homes, his photographs offer intimate portraits of the artists at work and in repose and capture the collaborative and improvisatory process of jazz itself. Recipient of the Jazz Journalists Association award for jazz photography in both 2006 and 2011, Katz's work has been exhibited in Germany, Italy and Japan. Among the world-renowned artists he has photographed are Sonny Rollins, Keith Jarrett, Ornette Coleman, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Haynes, Cassandra Wilson, Ray Charles, Dave Brubeck, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, John Zorn, Pat Metheny, and Dizzy Gillespie. His recording credits include such artists as David S. Ware, Joe Lovano, Harold Mabern, William Parker, Benny Golson, Chris Potter, Mark Turner, George Coleman and Jason Palmer, among others. Ben Solomon ECHOLOCATION Giant Step Arts – GSA 13 Recorded August 9, 2022 CHROMATOPHORES II Recorded March and April 2023 Release date for both – September 20, 2024 giantsteparts.org write your comments about the article :: © 2024 Jazz News :: home page |