Label: Royal Potato Family, 2024
Personnel - Jenny Scheinman: violin; Bill Frisell: guitar; Carmen Staaf: piano; Tony Scherr: bass; Kenny Wollesen: drums. Guests - Julian Lage: guitar (#3,6,10); Nels Cline (#7,8).
Violinist and composer Jenny Scheinman, well-regarded in jazz circles for her collaborations with guitarist Bill Frisell and drummers Allison Miller and Scott Amendola, continues to impress in her latest album, All Species Parade. This ambitious work features a core quintet comprising Frisell on guitar, Carmen Staaf on piano, bassist Tony Scherr, and drummer Kenny Wollesen, with additional contributions from guest guitarists Julian Lage and Nels Cline on select tracks. Inspired by her return to her native Humboldt County, California, after years in New York, Scheinman crafts ten richly textured musical canvases that traverse a broad stylistic spectrum.
“Ornette Goes Home” opens with nimble brushed drums and a driving bass groove, blending chromatic movements with an Americana aesthetic for a rustic, bluesy vibe. The quintet shines as each member takes turns soloing, offering distinct emotional hues before the track shifts into a funk-infused conclusion. Funk is also present in the colorful title track, “All Species Parade”, where Wollesen’s cool rock beat underscores a vibrant central melody with an Arabesque descent, creating a celebratory atmosphere enriched by hints of American folk idioms.
“Jaroujiji”, a cinematic homage to the Wiyot tribe, introduces a dramatic tone with Staaf’s clear-cut piano riff and Lage’s expressive acoustic guitar. Scheinman and Frisell collaborate closely in the melodic narrative, weaving intricate lines that highlight the track's poignant beauty. This cut, the title track, and the short-lived “The Sea Also Rises” form an Ellington-inspired suite, confirming the departure from the concise, song-like structures of Scheinman’s previous albums. Lage lends his expressive guitar work to two other titles — “Shutdown Stomp”, a folk rag piece whose energy leaves us gasping for breath, features him painting outside the frames with pastel shades, also spotlighting Wollesen’s vigorous accentuations; and the closer, “Nocturne 2020”, whose tender romanticism gains traction with a 7/4 meter signature.
Nels Cline’s chameleon-like guitar work adds further dimension to “House of Flowers”, a tender ballad with a country sensibility, and “The Cape”, a furious piece driven by krautrock rhythms and gritty blues-rock chops. By contrast, the playful “Every Bear That Ever There Was” blends the stealthy charm of Henry Mancini’s “Pink Panther Theme” with the noir allure of David Shire’s "Marlowe’s Theme”, while the ambient “With Sea Lions” evokes a monolithic wave of tranquil, blue-hued awe.
Scheinman explores a wide array of stylistic contexts, finding remarkable depth and nuance within each. All Species Parade reflects her honest and courageous vision, brought to life by a band whose tightly connected chemistry elevates every track.
Favorite Tracks:
01 - Ornette Goes Home ► 05 - All Species Parade ► 06 - Shutdown Stomp