By Jim Macnie | Published July 2017
The deep collaboration between members of Tomasz Stańko’s New York Quartet makes the music on its second album both a pathway to pleasure and an opportunity for solace, but it’s the tone and timbre of the leader’s horn that’s most fetching. The 74-year-old trumpeter continues to burnish his earthy sound, and its character morphs in intriguing ways on this jewel of a date.
The Polish bandleader has embraced scads of U.S. players in the past few years. Pianist Craig Taborn, drummer Jim Black and others have gone through the ranks of his New York Quartet. But for recording, he’s settled on a squad that’s expert at both rumination and buoyancy. Pianist David Virelles and drummer Gerald Clayton helped him make 2015’s Wislawa; bassist Reuben Rogers replaces Thomas Morgan for this new date. Together they bask in the attractions of mood while leaving ample room for some nu-bop frolic. There’s about a 70/30 split for those directions here, and the shifts between them are beveled enough to create a string of revealing transitions.
A bit of Lester Bowie cackle marks the animated passages. Stańko gets frisky on the title cut, and while the action is all quite measured, the refinement doesn’t preclude anyone from searching for some friction points (Cleaver is key to this process). Perhaps more telling are the moments of reflection. “Cloud,” “Blue Cloud” and “The Street Of Crocodiles” all find the foursome waxing instinctual while establishing a rich atmosphere.
December Avenue: Cloud; Conclusion; Blue Cloud; Bright Moon; Burning Hot; David And Reuben; Ballad For Bruno Schulz; Sound Space; December Avenue; The Street Of Crocodiles; Yankiels Lid; Young Girl In Flower. (64:16)
Personnel: Tomasz Stanko, trumpet; David Virelles, piano; Reuben Rogers; bass; Gerald Clayton, drums.
