The quality of this remarkable CD will be no surprise to anyone familiar with the work of these two distinguished artists. They both have demonstrated a consistency of expression matched only by the diversity of contexts in which they have chosen to perform. Separately, each has presented some of the strongest contemporary evidence for both ongoing jazz tradition and that tradition's capacity for expansion and renewal.
In this joint venture, Ehrlich and Melford reinforce a sense of powerful, cogent melody at the heart of their individual creations. Ehrlich, who has been a presence on the international jazz scene for two decades, is a collaborator par excellence who has contributed to some of the era's most important music. In addition to this recording with Melford, Ehrlich continues to pursue his own visions by performing with his two longstanding bands, Traveler's Tales and the Dark Woods Ensemble.
Melford's work epitomizes the juncture where jazz and new music co-mingle. She delivers pockets of extended improvisation and ensemble interplay that is reflective and passionate, poignant and whimsical, exhilarating and gentle. Coda Magazine writes, Melford is at once a dancer, a romantic and a savage sucker puncher at the bench...beating all hell out of the piano and making it beautiful." Melford can claim also leadership of two major bands, The Same River Twice quintet and her new trio, Crush.
Melford's other CDs on Arabesque include the 2000 release, Dance Beyond the Color" featuring Crush, and the 1999 release, Above Blue" with The Same River Twice.
Arabesque Records: www.arabesquerecords.com
For more information contact All About Jazz.