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| New Album From Pianist Rob Clearfield Chicago pianist Rob Clearfield releases new album "Voice in the Wilderness", an album of experimentation and lyricism, including two tracks produced by long-time associate Makaya McCraven After several limited-release recordings, Rob Clearfield is finally stepping into the spotlight with an album that reveals the full depth and originality of his talent. Voice in the Wilderness marks a reunion with double bassist Joe Sanders—his partner in some of his earliest performances—and the beginning of a new collaboration with drummer Fred Pasqua. This is a true album in every sense: carefully crafted down to the finest detail, blending the creative spirit of the Chicago scene, where Rob hails from, with a heartfelt lyricism that resonates deeply. Described by The Chicago Tribune as "one of Chicago's most poetic jazz pianists, " Rob Clearfield has since left the shores of Lake Michigan to settle by the Mediterranean, making Marseille his adopted home. Taken in the post-Covid context, this move to Europe marks a new phase in the internationalization of Clearfield's career. In recent years, he has recorded and toured outside the United States with musicians such as saxophonist Caroline Davis, trumpeter Itamar Borochov, and drummer Makaya McCraven. The latter two played a key role in shaping Voice in the Wilderness. Borochov lent his majestic trumpet sound to half of the compositions, where it shines brilliantly. During postproduction, Clearfield engaged in a creative dialogue with McCraven, revisiting the studio recordings to give them a distinctive shape. Makaya produced two tracks on the album, including a version of "When We Were Kings, " a composition by trumpeter Marquis Hill, with whom Clearfield has also collaborated in the past. Click above to watch the video of "Fields" From Herbie Hancock to Craig Taborn, from Chick Corea to Muhal Richard Abrams, from Brad Mehldau to Robert Glasper—his playing draws from a wide array of influences, whose energies and flows intertwine. The result is a pianist whose deeply internalized sense of phrasing and time is matched by a strong and unmistakable musical identity. Full of layered textures, steeped in mystery and poetry, and revealing new beauty with each track, Voice in the Wildernessclearly marks the emergence of an artist who is far from done captivating us. 1. Fields 5'49 2. When We Were Kings [Marquis Hill] 3'35 3. Voice in the Wilderness (Part 1) 4'19 4. Play Through That 1'16 5. New England 5'37 6. A Circle 1'34 7. If There Were Ever a Time 5'33 8. In Between 3'02 9. Voice in the Wilderness (Part 2) 7'20 Rob Clearfield, piano Joe Sanders, double bass Fred Pasqua, drums and Itamar Borochov, trumpet (on tracks 3, 5, 6, 9) Tracks 2 et 9 produced by Makaya McCraven. All other tracks are produced by Rob Clearfield. write your comments about the article :: © 2025 Jazz News :: home page |