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Noah Preminger 'Ballads' – Out Feb. 21, 2025 via Chill Tone Out February 21, 2025 via Chill Tone, Ballads features the daring saxophonist luxuriating in beauty for beauty’s sake with pianist Julian Shore, bassist Kim Cass and drummer Allan Mednard “[Preminger] plays with not just chops and composure, but already a distinct voice: His approach privileges mood and reflectiveness, favoring weaving lines that can be complex but are also concise, without a trace of over-playing or bravado.” – Siddhartha Miller, Boston Globe “Mr. Preminger designs a different kind of sound for each note, an individual destiny and story.” – Ben Ratliff, The New York Times With his 1963 outing Ballads, John Coltrane created an album that showcased how one of jazz history’s most adventurous artists could reveal his softer, more lyrical side without sacrificing inventiveness or exploration. Acclaimed tenor saxophonist Noah Preminger follows directly in the same tradition with his latest release, Ballads, out February 21, 2025 via the new Chill Tone label. An entrancing collection of original compositions, discerningly curated standards and one left-field cover from outside the jazz realm, Ballads features stunningly beautiful playing by Preminger and his quartet with pianist Julian Shore, bassist Kim Cass and drummer Allan Mednard. The title of Ballads of course echoes Coltrane’s 60-year-old classic, and in both cases stands as a straightforward description of the albums’ contents. But Preminger’s use of the deceptively simple name also represents a succinct mission statement, one that marks a new direction in the saxophonist’s diverse discography. In the past Preminger’s venturesome spirit has often led him down more bracing paths, as with his intense and intricate duo sessions with Cass (THUNDA and The Dank) or his stark exploration of the Delta blues (Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground). At a time when many albums are crafted around complicated and heady thematic ideas, Ballads is a declaration of purpose that understands that captivating, luxuriant music is concept enough. Keenly aware of the rich tradition of the tenor saxophone, Preminger places his distinct mark on the ballad album with this release. His heroes, from Trane, Coleman Hawkins and Sonny Rollins through Michael Brecker and Seamus Blake, and his teachers, including David Liebman and George Garzone, have all offered their own interpretations against the backdrop of turbulent times or personal struggles; with Ballads Preminger plants his own flag in that lineage. “I've always loved ballad playing, ” Preminger says. “Some of my favorites on record include John Coltrane on ‘Lush Life, ’ Joe Lovano on ‘I Can’t Get Started, ’ and Michael Brecker on ‘The Meaning of the Blues.’ The playing is serious and meaningful, and their sound sings as if it’s their last day on earth. That’s what I wanted to emulate with this record.” Preminger’s desire to forge an album of forthright beauty extended beyond the repertoire and musicianship to the sound of the recording itself. To that end he collaborated closely with the team at Chill Tone Records, including Grammy-winning engineer Chris Leon. Chill Tone was created in 2023 as a subsidiary of Calm and Collected Music Group. CAC was founded by Grammy-nominated artists/producers Chris Leon (Nile Rogers, The Greatest Showman), Andrew Horowitz (Tally Hall, John Legend), and Coyle Girelli (The Chevin, BTS). Chill Tone sets out with the mission to create the highest quality recordings of the best contemporary jazz musicians. “The quality of the sound for a record like this is hugely important to me, ” Preminger explains. “The guys at Chill Tone are really serious about the quality of the recording, and I personally think they did an amazing job in bringing out the lush qualities of this music.” Ballads opens with “Stan’s Mood, ” an overlooked gem from the outset of Stan Getz’s career that has been rarely if ever reprised over the last 70-odd years. Preminger caresses the ruminative melody while the rhythm section exudes a beatific warmth, followed by Shore’s wistful solo. The album is bookended by its other standard, the Gershwin perennial “Someone To Watch Over Me, ” achingly rendered as a duo by Preminger and longtime collaborator Cass before the quartet enters at the one-minute mark, casting a dream-like spell. The set’s most unexpected selection is “Carry Me Ohio, ” a mesmerizing tune by singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek, aka Sun Kil Moon. Preminger recalls playing the song repeatedly for his now 2-year-old son while he was still in the womb, which resonates with the embracing, trance-inducing atmosphere conjured by the band’s gently insistent interpretation. Preminger’s four originals include “Unfair World, ” the bleak outlook of its title reflected by its foreboding tone, laced with an undeniable sense of hope. “Democracy” sways with an Ellingtonian elegance, Preminger’s tenor floating with the muscular grace of vintage Dexter Gordon. “In Our 20s” is redolent of nostalgia and maturity, Cass and Mednard setting a pulse that moves relentlessly forward, while “Pneu” cycles hypnotically, highlighted by a stormy, surging exchange between the bassist and drummer. Surprising turns are nothing new for Preminger, though he veers in a more unexpected direction with this release by embracing the subtle allure of the ballad form. With Ballads the saxophonist brings his trademark commitment and passion to the celebration of sheer beauty, making for an album no less compelling than his most fiery outings. Noah Preminger Brooklyn-based saxophonist Noah Preminger, two-time winner of DownBeat Magazine’s “Rising Star – Tenor Saxophonist” honor, has recorded nearly two dozen critically acclaimed albums as a bandleader. His diverse catalogue includes Meditations On Freedom, released on Inauguration Day 2017 as a musical protest at ominous political developments in America; a duo album with pianist Frank Carlberg; and Preminger Plays Preminger, exploring the music of Otto Preminger’s films. In 2018, Preminger and drummer Rob Garcia created the Dead Composers Club to examine the oeuvres of deceased composers, so far releasing music by Frédéric Chopin and the prolific 11th century composer Hildegard von Bingen. More recent releases include After Life, a collaboration with poet Ruth Lepson and Songs We Love with guitarist Max Light; Zigsaw: Music of Steve Lampert, which features a hybrid electronic/acoustic sound; the quartet outing Contemptment and the trio date Sky Continuous; and a pair of experimental duo albums with bassist Kim Cass, THUNDA and The Dank. Preminger has played and/or recorded with the likes of Jason Moran, Dave Holland, John Patitucci, Fred Hersch, Dave Douglas, Billy Hart, Rob Garcia, Joe Lovano, Victor Lewis, John and Bucky Pizzarelli, Cecil McBee, George Cables, and Roscoe Mitchell. He is on faculty at Longy School of Music of Bard College, and is in his 11th year performing every Friday and Saturday night at historic Wally’s Jazz Club in Boston. Noah Preminger – Ballads Chill Tone – CT0003LP – Recorded September 18, 2024 Release date February 21, 2025 |
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