Glenn Zaleski - My Ideal - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Through the act of improvisation, the jazz musician is continually composing. When it comes to formal composing of pieces for a jazz ensemble, the jazz musician must be able to not only write a good melody but also to provide a InchspringboardInch for the ensemble to communicate and improvise. Pianist Glenn Zaleski's second recording for Sunnyside, Fellowship, reconvenes his trio, featuring bassist Dezron Douglas and drummer Craig Weinrib, to play a program of original compositions and a couple of insightfully arranged standards.

The health of the jazz ecosystem can be discerned by sampling musicians who use tried and true means to express themselves. By listening, it can be ascertained whether there is proper respect for the tradition blended with creative touches that move the music ahead. The piano trio is a perfect vehicle to demonstrate this phenomenon and Glenn Zaleski's trio is an ideal example of a group that holds true to jazz traditions while trying to add something more.Presenting their third on Sunnyside Records, Star Dreams, Zaleski, bassist Dezron Douglas, and drummer Willie Jones III present an ideal contemporary program that swings but also broadens the language and repertory of the jazz piano trio. Originally from Massachusetts, Zaleski has become a notable leader and sideman in New York City's jazz scene over the past decade and a half. His recent collaborations have included brilliant stylists, like Cécile McLorin Salvant, Ken Peplowski, and Ravi Coltrane. It was with Coltrane that Zaleski met Douglas, who has been instrumental to Zaleski's trio sound. Zaleski began playing regularly with Jones in Peplowski's ensemble. During the pandemic, Zaleski introduced the trio with Douglas and Jones at Mezzrow Jazz Club, playing frequently for two years. Zaleski found that Douglas and Jones provided a perfect balance of support and interaction; the swing that they produced was a powerful force with a special rhythmic energy. Zaleski decided that it would be ideal to record the trio, as their performances had felt amazing and rewarded the audience and band alike. In deciding material, Zaleski chose to continue his tradition of honoring his contemporaries and friends by adding their music to the band's book along with his originals and better-known standards. The trio recorded at Acoustic Studios in Brooklyn, New York in October 2023. The program begins with a bouncy take on Harry War

Summer walks in Brooklyn's Prospect Park led Glenn Zaleski and his wife to the sanctuary of The Vale of Cashmere, a small, secluded pond densely populated with flowering trees. This became a favorite spot for Zaleski to meditate. It also became the spot where he began to compose and catalog music for an upcoming August performance, where he intended to revisit his favorite ensemble , the quintet.// Zaleski's choice of instrumentalists was easy and inspired. He knew that he wanted to feature the incredible sound of tenor saxophone and trumpet as leading voices. Saxophonist Lucas Pino is one of the pianist's oldest friends and collaborators, so there was no question about his involvement. Trumpeter Adam O'Farrill is a more recent acquaintance but one that Zaleski wanted to revisit after first playing with O'Farrill seven years ago.// The rhythm section includes two musicians that Zaleski has long admired and performed with. Bassist Desmond White has been a regular collaborator with the pianist since college and drummer Allan Mednard has been a favorite time-keeper on many stages.