Label: Sunnyside Records, 2021
Personnel - Frank Kimbrough: piano; Kirk Knuffke: cornet; Masa kamaguchi: bass.
American pianist/composer Frank Kimbrough passed away in December 2020, leaving the jazz scene missing not just his music but also his pedagogy and charisma. This posthumously released album recorded with the cornetist Kirk Knuffke and the bassist Masa Kamaguchi in 2017, leans toward the introspective and comprises seven of his original compositions, three improvised duos (two with Knuffke and one with Kamaguchi), and a piece written by his wife, the singer/pianist Maryanne de Prophetis.
“Waiting in Santander” gets off the ground in a transcendental suspension where everything feels very musical. Kimbrough actually wrote it in the Spanish city referred in the title while patiently waiting for a piano to arrive, but that frustration acquired a pacific temper here. This is the first of three numbers culled from his 2006 album Play (with Kamaguchi and the influential late drummer Paul Motian). The others are “Beginning”, a beautiful ballad whose enlightening melodies and harmonic movement recalls the drummer’s music, and “Jimmy G”, a poised blues written for clarinetist/saxophonist Jimmy Giuffre, which flows overtly with a disarming composure.
The delicate “November”, a highlight, reveals lyrical pianism and tender chords, woody sprawling bass notes and the warm brass sounds sliding over the harmonic tapestry. Taking into account that this was the first musical connection between the bassist and the cornetist, the natural playing between the threesome is excellent. “Over”, which takes the piquant flavors of Herbie Nichols’ style all over the place is a good example, as well as “Ancestors”, an old piece that celebrates Kimbrough’s deep Southern roots.
Following the haunting piano/cornet duo “Solid”, the record comes to an end with de Prophetis’ wistfully harmonized “All These Years”, a piece she wrote for her father.
Kimbrough’s sonic universe is tremendous. Considering he was a musician of rare touch and substance, that’s not surprising.
B+
Favorite Tracks:
03 - November ► 07 - Beginning ► 09 - Over