Pianist/Composer Noah Baerman Reflects Commitment to Transcendence and Activism Through Ripples,
Available March 11 Through Resonant Motion
Album Features Two Distinct Ensembles:
Jazz Samaritan Alliance and
Baerman's Chamber Octet
"Baerman exhibits considerable technical ease and melodic aplomb in both
his spirited improvisations and his original compositions." - JazzTimes
For
some of the most committed artists, music is a pursuit of
transcendence, and thus an end to itself. But for composer/pianist Noah Baerman, that pursuit is not only transcendence, but a means to societal and humanistic advancement. Ripples,
his upcoming Lemel Music release, is a stirring reflection upon some of
the important issues that he confronts as an artist, educator, father
and humanitarian.
Ripples
is the first release produced in conjunction with Resonant Motion, Inc.
(RMI), a not-for-profit organization founded in 2012 by Baerman and
some equally committed individuals. Viewing music as a healing force and
artistic expression as a means to both expand awareness and promote
action, RMI seeks to inspire, not preach; to uplift, not depress. Ripples
is a perfect example of that outlook. Soulfulness and musicality are
front and center on this remarkable album, Noah's ninth as a leader.
"To
me, 'soul' can have multiple definitions - a trait of music rooted in
the African-American continuum, a quality of genuine, uninhibited
emotion, or basic human depth and goodness," says Baerman. "I strive to
make every note I play or compose soulful by all of these definitions."
The music is presented by two distinct ensembles. The Jazz Samaritan Alliance, comprised of Baerman, vibraphonist Chris Dingman, saxophonists Jimmy Greene and Kris Allen, and drummer Johnathan Blake, was formed with similar goals as those of RMI. They perform on three pieces here joined by special guests Linda Oh on bass for two tracks, and Kenny Barron on piano for one tune.
Four other pieces feature Baerman's trio of 10 years - with bassist Henry Lugo and drummer Vinnie Sperrazza - augmented by a chamber ensemble of cellist Dave Eggar, violinists Meg Okura and Zach Brock, Erica Von Kleist on flutes and Benjamin Fingland on clarinet. They are also joined by a vocal choir of Claire Randall, Garth Taylor, Jessica Best and Erica Bryan
on the opening track, "Time is Now" - a celebratory call-to-action.
Fittingly the four vocalists who center this energetic and inspirational
piece are all under 25, exhorting their peers to stand up and speak out
for their future.
The
chamber pieces all celebrate courageous ongoing battles against
adversity and the power of the human spirit to overcome the challenges
that are a fundamental part of life. "The Outer Circle" (dedicated to
cancer survivor Karen Walson) is a beautiful ballad with a delightfully
suspended structure, featuring a haunting cello solo by Eggar and a
tender, melodic piano solo floating on a warm mist of swirling strings.
This piece is part of a multi-media tribute called "Survivor Stories,"
the brainchild of photographer Carla Ten Eyck, and an RMI project in
development.
Baerman
previously recorded "The Healer" in a trio with Ron Carter and Ben
Riley, expressing his ongoing struggles with the connective tissue
disorder Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). In the octet setting, the lovely
melody, Baerman's lyrical but rhythmically insistent solo, and the
trio's near-telepathic interplay are illuminated by the chamber ensemble
like vivid stage lighting on a company of dancers.
The
final chamber piece concludes the album - "Ripples" (for Margie) is a
stunning paean to Baerman's aunt, Margie Pozefsky, who passed in 2012.
Opening with a brief statement of filigree beauty, it becomes a
rollicking, jubilant celebration of a life marked by continuous acts of
kindness, creating a ripple effect of positive human experience. Noah's
explosive McCoy Tyner-esque solo, brilliant ensemble composing, and
highly emotional playing by the entire ensemble bring the piece - and
the album - to a dramatic finale.
Three
short preludes to the final piece are placed effectively among the
earlier tracks. Immediately preceding is "Ripple: L'Amour Gagne (Love
Wins)," a gorgeous hymnal chant by the choir a cappella, featuring Claire Randall's
haunting solo voice. "Ripple: Persistence" is a duet for Baerman and
alto saxophonist Allen. A sparkling pas de deux, they play off each
other in powerful empathy and rapport, feeding and prodding each other
on this smoldering item. "Ripple: Brotherhood" features Baerman on
organ, with Greene on soprano and Blake's drums. Highly evocative, a bit
reminiscent of early Weather Report, richly textured organ and
shimmering cymbals surround the crying soprano.
Dingman's
crystalline unaccompanied solo opens "Motherless," the first of three
Jazz Samaritan performances. Adapting the melodic line of the spiritual,
"Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child," and buoyed by Baerman's
gospel-ish organ, this extended piece moves between plaintive yearning,
soulful grooving and boisterous swinging. Allen's passionate,
unaccompanied alto plea introduces Greene's urgent, blistering tenor
solo. And Baerman explores the hard bop and beyond organ vernacular
forged by Don Patterson and Larry Young, culminating in his heartfelt
and dulcet singing of the original spiritual. Reflecting Baerman's deep
devotion to the cause of foster care and adoption (Baerman and his wife
Kate Ten Eyck - the creator of the album's cover painting - are the
adoptive parents of three grown children), "Motherless" depicts the
issue with disarming emotional directness.
Another
perspective on the same issue is at the core of "Lester," a story with
an unfortunately tragic conclusion. But Baerman has created a highly
emotional, stimulating and hope-filled tribute. "Lester" is a warmly
textured, funkily-syncopated piece built on nasty suspended rhythms.
Greene takes a fierce, gutty tenor solo, while guest and NEA Jazz Master
Kenny Barron delivers the kind of vividly elegant solo
that has made him a legend while stoking the piece throughout with
driving block chords. Noah's organ provides an exciting, dervish-like
pastiche and solos to a scintillating climax.
"Peeling
the Onion," a multi-layered, ever-evolving composition in the soul jazz
style is driven by Linda Oh's deeply grooved bass and features a Bobby
Hutcherson-tinged vibes solo by Dingman and an edgy turn on slide guitar
by Baerman. This piece is dedicated to Kate's aunt Dottie Ten Eyck, who
is overcoming the adversity of incurable lung cancer by continuing her
never-ending journey of love and self-reflection - one layer at a time.
Regardless
of the inspiration and intent behind all of these original
compositions, the results are precisely what an artist of Baerman's
focus and intent seeks - profundity and transcendence. The music is
dynamic, telling enthralling stories and in a most aesthetic and
compelling manner.
"I
feel a responsibility to use my music in service of the issues that
matter to me, while those issues add an important layer of substance to
the music itself. At this point I scarcely know how to separate my art
from my commitment to love, understanding and healing," concludes
Baerman.
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Noah Baerman - Nobody Knows
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Upcoming Noah Baerman Tour Dates:
* March 13 / Jazz Gallery / New York, NY
** March 28 / Benefit Concert, First Congregational Church / Bristol, RI
** March 29 / The Side Door Jazz Club / Old Lyme, CT
*** March 30 / The Lily Pad (duo) / Cambridge, MA
April 10 / Rutgers University (guest lecture) / New Brunswick, NJ
** April 10 / Settlement Music School (performance/clinic) / Philadelphia, PA
** April 11 / Columbia Heights Concert Series (Private House Concert) / Washington, DC
** April 12 / Germano's Cabaret / Baltimore, MA
*** April 26 / Flushing Town Hall (feat. Victor Lewis) / Flushing, Queens, NY
* May 9 / Firehouse 12 / New Haven, CT
* - Jazz Samaritan Alliance w/ Jimmy Greene,
Kris Allen, Chris Dingman, Johnathan Blake
** - Noah Baerman Trio w/ Henry Lugo, Vinnie Sperrazza
*** - Noah Baerman with Amanda Monaco
Noah Baerman · Ripples
Resonant Motion · Release Date: March 11, 2014
For more information on Noah Baerman, please visit:
For media information, please contact:
DL Media · 610-667-0501
Maureen McFadden · maureen@dlmediamusic.com
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