Oct 28, 2025 10:47 AM
In Memoriam: Jack DeJohnette, 1942–2025
Jack DeJohnette, a bold and resourceful drummer and NEA Jazz Master who forged a unique vocabulary on the kit over his…
Vibraphonist Behn Gillece is, by nature, eclectic, counting drummer/vibraphonist Joe Chambers, pianist Cedar Walton and guitarist Steve Giordano as his composer’s trifecta.
(Photo: Sara Pettinella)Parallel Universe, the fourth album by New Jersey-based vibraphonist and composer Behn Gillece, blasts out of the gate like a thoroughbred. The program is performed by a sextet of New York City-based musicians who devour the 37-year-old’s memorable compositions.
“Behn’s writing is definitely a unique voice of his own,” noted pianist Art Hirahara, who played on the sessions alongside tenor saxophonist Stacy Dillard, trumpeter Bruce Harris, bassist David Wong and drummer Rudy Royston. “It’s inspiring to play Behn’s tunes because his music is accessible. But at the same time, it also has little twists and turns that make it interesting to play.”
Gillece is, by nature, eclectic, counting drummer/vibraphonist Joe Chambers, pianist Cedar Walton and guitarist Steve Giordano as his composer’s trifecta.
“In the current era, there are so many musicians trying to do things that are radically different, because everybody’s looking for the next thing,” Gillece said. “And in a sense, I have that desire also. I’m not trying to recreate a different era. ... I’ve tried to not force anything. If I learn a couple new things from record to record, I try those [ideas] and work at my evolution in that way.”
There’s certainly an element of hard-bop familiarity present on Parallel Universe, but thanks to vivid arrangements, intriguing melodies and unusual stylistic choices, the music captures a listener’s imagination as it swings—hard.
The opening track, “Break The Ice,” does just that: It’s a high-flyer, featuring rousing solos from Gillece and Dillard, and boisterous accompaniment from Royston. “Bossa For RM” maintains a simmering pace and features breezy harmonic interplay. The brisk title track suggests a meeting between Bobby Hutcherson and Harold Land—no coincidence, considering the pair worked on countless recordings that influenced Gillece’s development. Royston’s knotty pocket opens “Smoke Screen,” a popping funk tune enhanced by radiant solos from Gillece and Hirahara. High-speed vigor propels “Eviscerate”; Afro-Cuban rhythms drive “Shadow Of The Flame”; “Evening Glow” provides repose within a lovely ballad.
Maintaining a busy teaching schedule at Rowan University and New Jersey City University, Gillece also contributes to the website vibesworkshop.com, has a weekly residence at Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia and plays on an upcoming Posi-Tone project by the newly convened ensemble Out To Dinner. Different Flavors—an homage to Eric Dolphy’s classic 1964 album, Out To Lunch—is slated for a summer release.
“Behn’s compositions allow the band to interact and actually play, rather than purely serve the composition alone,” Hirahara said. “He’s coming out of the tradition, the swing feel, the language of bebop and post bebop, and you can really hear that.” DB
Jack DeJohnette boasted a musical resume that was as long as it was fearsome.
Oct 28, 2025 10:47 AM
Jack DeJohnette, a bold and resourceful drummer and NEA Jazz Master who forged a unique vocabulary on the kit over his…
D’Angelo achieved commercial and critical success experimenting with a fusion of jazz, funk, soul, R&B and hip-hop.
Oct 14, 2025 1:47 PM
D’Angelo, a Grammy-winning R&B and neo-soul singer, guitarist and pianist who exerted a profound influence on 21st…
To see the complete list of nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards, go to grammy.com.
Nov 11, 2025 12:35 PM
The nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards are in, with plenty to smile about for the worlds of jazz, blues and beyond.…
Drummond was cherished by generations of mainstream jazz listeners and bandleaders for his authoritative tonal presence, a defining quality of his style most apparent when he played his instrument unamplified.
Nov 4, 2025 11:39 AM
Ray Drummond, a first-call bassist who appeared on hundreds of albums as a sideman for some of the top names in jazz…
Jim McNeely’s singular body of work had a profound and lasting influence on many of today’s top jazz composers in the U.S. and in Europe.
Oct 7, 2025 3:40 PM
Pianist Jim McNeely, one of the most distinguished large ensemble jazz composers of his generation, died Sept. 26 at…
