Bruce Barth - Daybreak - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

No one sounds quite like Barth. His solos are characterized by robust swing, his ability to tell a story, and by his rich, beguiling sound. -Zan Stewart, The Newark Star-Ledger. A pivotal member of New York's Jazz scene for 40 years, pianist Bruce Barth's inspired vision and generous accompaniment has always led to rich musical collaborations, none more so than with his working trio of many years with bassist Vincente Archer and drummer Montez Coleman. Their collective voice found it's perfect setting, which makes the of InchDedicationInch a profound and emotion-filled moment, as Montez passed away 5 months after the recording session at the age of 48. Celebrating the joy and camaraderie Montez brought to their work, the thread of relationships, inspiration, guidance and gratefulness that imbued the recording revealed itself, leading Barth to present the music as a display of mindfulness of those gifts. InchDedicationInch is for the ones who give and is filled with life, dance and swing.

Bruce Barth, despite his professorship at Temple University, is no stodgy jazz egghead. He is a working musician with an abundance of technique, a seemingly bottomless well of ideas and is a composer of considerable skill with a contemporary and inventive approach, with many of the works here being Barth originals. Barth's solos are witty and insightful while his innate harmonic sense makes him a perfect accompanist when backing solos by others. Joining the front line is the masterful vibes player Steve Nelson, who always swings hard, but also manages to play with a soulful lyricism.

New York-based flutist Itai Kriss presents Daybreak, his thematic new album chronicling the natural progression of a single day, displayed through eight original compositions. Drawing on his Israeli roots and deep appreciation for American jazz traditions, Kriss blends jazz, gospel, and Brazilian influences to showcase the flute as a commanding lead voice rather than a background instrument. The album features collaborators Adam Birnbaum on piano, Luke Sellick on bass, and Anthony Pinciotti on drums, with special guests Benny Benack III on trumpet and Yotam Silberstein on guitar. Spanning moods from tranquil dawns to energetic afternoons and soulful evenings, the music follows the rhythmic cycle of daily life while showcasing the flute's expressive range. Kriss crafts a sonic narrative that feels both personal and universal, drawing inspiration from bebop, blues, gospel traditions, and Brazilian samba to create a cohesive journey that transcends genre boundaries.