photo #1
|
 |
Italian Newspaper Review
In November and December Ran performed in
France, Germany and Italy, often accompanied by
guitarist David "Knife" Fabris. The duo's
show at Rome's Casa del Jazz received a
favorable review in Il Manifesto, an
Italian newspaper. Excerpts of a translation
follow (thanks to Massimo Sammi):
"A powerful sound, rich with harmonics,
dissonant chords hitting like a sword,
sculpted-like notes with sparkling purity ...
72-year old pianist Ran Blake did not
disappoint ... [with Fabris, the duo] performed a
chamber concert in which many sound cliches
of contemporary jazz were clearly
avoided.
"The sense of adventure and thrill,
the taste of the unpredictable, the lively
sensation of discovery flew in the tunes in
which the two instruments were both blended
and distinguished themselves, with wide
individual spaces.
"Fabris demonstrated he is technically
skilled and linguistically
innovative ... his slide guitar dizzied the
tunes, pulling them in
a mood halfway between blues and avant-garde.
The feeling between the two players was very
empathic, reminiscent of Lennie
Tristano/Billy Bauer or Bill Evans/Jim
Hall.
"Blake produced a clear and raw sound,
alternated with wide chords, full of
dissonances ... It
might be the language influenced by movies --
with immediate close-ups, cross-fadings,
still-captures -- but Blake's piano really
stands out for his modernity."
|
|
photo #2
|
About the Photos
The photos in this issue were forwarded by
Adam Mills, a
musician and photographer studying at MassArt
and the Boston Conservatory. Adam shot them
as Ran gave a lesson to Jason
Belcher, an NEC student. You
can hear Jason's music, some of which
features Adam, on Jason's myspace
page.
|
|
|
New Album Planned
Ran has started recording his next album, a
solo set of interpretations of songs
associated with his favorite vocalists.
Jonah Kraut, Ran's longtime friend and former
assistant at NEC, is producing the album.
So far there have been two sessions, and
Jonah says the
music has a very relaxed, emotive and
contemplative feel.
Tentatively titled "Driftwoods," the album
will likely feature tracks that pay tribute
to Chris Connor, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King
Cole, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Hank
Williams.
It also will include "Dancing in the Dark" as a
tribute to Dorothy Wallace, a patron of the
arts and a supporter of Ran's music who died
in 2001. Ran has performed this song often in
recent years but has never recorded it.
Expect a release this summer or fall -- we'll
keep you posted.
|
photo #3
|
Third Stream Orgy
on Harvard radio this Monday
As part of its annual "Winter Orgy"
programming, Harvard's WHRB is doing a
daylong show of music by Third Stream
artists, including Ran, Gunther Schuller and
others.
The shows airs this Monday (the 29th) from 10
a.m. to midnight. To listen, tune in to 95.3
FM, or stream it on your computer through the
station's website.
|
|
