Événement

Steve Heckman & Matt Clark CD Release Event

SOME OTHER TIME/SLOW CAFÉ is Steve Heckman's 6th album to date, and the 5th album on which Steve collaborates with piano virtuoso Matt Clark. These tracks, taken from 2 recording sessions, reflect perhaps the most intimate and reflective sides of Steve and Matt's playing to date. The additional space created by the absence of bass and drums sets the stage for creative explorations of mood and textural nuance which might not have been achieved in a standard quartet/quintet setting. The album includes 4 originals (3 by Steve, 1 by Matt), as well as 8 standards, including a number of relatively rarely- heard tunes such as Monks Ugly Beauty, Duke Pearson's Is That So? and Fred Lacey/Mark Stevens moving tribute to the late alto saxophonist Ernie Henry, Theme for Ernie. Some Other Time, one of Leonard Bernstein's most beautiful popular songs (co-written with Betty Comden and Adolph Green) is the centerpiece of one of these 2 sessions, capturing the almost timeless mood evoked by the songs title. Also presented in an impressionistic fashion is Jimmy Rowle's gem, The Peacocks, while interspersed among these more introspective pieces are a number of up-tempo explorations including the burners, Get Happy and Jeannine, as well as an up-tempo version of the standard I Should Care. Notable among the original tunes are 2 waltzes, including Matt's haunting Foregone Conclusions and Sheila's Sunday Song, written by Steve, as well as Steve's tribute to one of his influences, Lee Konitz (Admiring-Lee). Slow Café, the other centerpiece, is a funky, Gospel-influenced original by Steve, which fits well as a concluding piece.

Dee Dee McNeil, Musicalmemoirs' Blog: "This duo...weave their talents around the music like homespun sweaters. Their music is warm and comfortable; unobtrusive, yet culturally opulent";

Chris Cortez, KCSM, San Mateo, CA: As always, Steve Heckman is sounding great, with beautiful tenor playing throughout, as well as soprano and flute, with the wonderful Matthew Clark on piano. This music is just up my alley.