Passage

Chronique

A graduate of Florida State University, NYU, and Juilliard, as well as an Assistant Professor of Jazz Piano at the University of North Texas, pianist Dave Meder is the epitome of the intellectual jazz musician. He's also an immensely gifted, often soulful performer, whose playing on his 2019 debut Passage reveals a balance of influences, from the angular bop of Thelonious Monk to the atmospheric modern classical of Philip Glass. He also displays an unexpected flair for church music. Joining him at various times are bassists Tamir Shmerling and Marty Jaffe, and drummer Kush Abadey. As a player, Meder brings to mind the sophisticated style of pianists like Fred Hersch, and Brad Mehldau, with a bit of the soulfulness of Mulgrew Miller or George Cables. The opening "Work" is a lesser-performed Monk composition that Meder tackles nicely with his descending dissonant lines evoking the feeling of a dancer leaping down a flight of stairs. He then shifts gears, offering a delicately rendered ode to Wayne Shorter with "For Wayne." More languid harmonies follow as "Golden Hour" sways back and forth between introspection and effusive outpourings of impressionistic joy. The moody "Elegy," featuring saxophonist Chris Potter, brings to mind a modern classical soundscape. Similarly "This Road," with saxophonist Miguel Zenón, finds Meder drawing upon the circular minimalism of the aforementioned Glass. Perhaps most intriguing is Meder's heartfelt rendition of the traditional hymn "The Old Rugged Cross," which moves from bluesy restraint to a celebratory gospel peak, all while remaining firmly planted in the modern jazz style. Also compelling is his original "Break Points," which sounds like a jazz reworking of a contemporary R&B anthem. Blessed with deep technical skills, and a mastery of the tradition, Meder remains tastefully reserved throughout his debut, deftly closing with a poignant solo rendition of the George and Ira Gershwin standard "For You, For Me, For Evermore."
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