Acoustic

Forget-me-not

  • Artist

    YELENA ECKEMOFF (piano & compositions) MATS EILERTSEN (double bass) MARYLIN MAZUR (drums)

  • Released

    February 20, 2012

  • Genre

    Jazz

Romantically entitled album Forget-me-not – a new trio production of the pianist, composer and producer Yelena Eckemoff with Mats Eilertsen on double-bass and Marilyn Mazur on drums and percussion – appears as a surprisingly fast follow up after her last year’s trilogy of the first-rate CD releases, Cold Sun, Grass Catching the Wind, and Flying Steps.            

Forget-me-not presents yet another amazing and truly mature compositional work of Yelena Eckemoff, who also demonstrates her exquisite piano touch and well-crafted pianism of a truly gifted classically trained pianist. Imaginative and pleasantly unpredictable, ten original music compositions on the 72 minute disk embrace wide emotional pallet ranging from somber and quiet to bursting with energy and rigor. Deeply heartfelt and honest, but sentimentality free music breathes of inspiration and loving-kindness. Both the complete mutual understanding and joyful interplay between three top-notch musicians create extremely smooth musical flow, where every note and every intricate detail fits in place. Given an equal share of expression, when no instrument comes across as more important than another, performers freely showcase their masterful skills and creative talents in the fullest of their bloom and vigor. Mixed and mastered by the renowned American sound engineer, Rich Breen, Forget-me-not displays the qualities of one of the best sounding and most beautiful records in the history of modern and ECM jazz. 

Flying Steps

  • Artist

    YELENA ECKEMOFF (piano & compositions) DAREK OLEZSKIEWICZ (double bass) PETER ERSKINE (drums)

  • Released

    December 14, 2010

  • Genre

    Jazz

The brilliant new release from pianist/composer Yelena Eckemoff titled “Flying Steps” is a musical excursion with one of the most captivating composers of today. Eckemoff is joined here by the great Peter Erskine on drums, and Darek Oleszkiewicz on bass. This release is the third installment of a trio of recordings recently released by Eckemoff. Her first two “Cold Sun” and “Grass Catching Wind” both received worldwide critical acclaim. “Flying Steps” is a very personal journey for Eckemoff. Selections such as “For Harry,” “Tears Will Come,” and “Tomorrow” which are inspired by her personal relationships, to her inner self which is featured in “Isolated.” Yelena Eckemoff is music for listening. The intricacies and passion for which this music is presented will have you asking “when is the fourth installment.

Press Release by Chris DiGiloramo

Grass Catching the Wind

  • Artist

    YELENA ECKEMOFF (piano & compositions) MADS VINDING (double bass) MORTEN LUND (drums)

  • Released

    July 26, 2010

  • Genre

    Jazz

Here’s a disc that’s going to be a pleasant surprise. Russian-born Yelena Eckemoff is a classically trained pianist who’s put out a couple of impressive releases in that genre. On this release, she delves into jazz, and demonstrates a completely original sound; no Tyner, Jarrett, Hancock etc. A few hints of the Romantics like Chopin and Schubert pop up once in a while, but it fits in well with this trio disc with Mads Vinding/b and Morten Lund/dr. The music itself is a 75+ minute musical journey through seasons, climates and geographies, with musical waxings and wanings creating a seamless sonic panorama. The music is intelligent without being pedantic, sophisticated without being sterile, creative without being indulgent, and sensitive without being desultory. Tunes bounce, weave, collide and open up as temperatures and musical barometric pressures change. The teamwork allows for soloing for all concerned. A surprise that will stand the test of time. Look for this one!

By George W. Harris for Jazz Weekly

Cold Sun

  • Artist

    YELENA ECKEMOFF (piano & compositions) MADS VINDING (double bass) PETER ERSKINE (drums)

  • Released

    April 12, 2010

  • Genre

    Jazz

The session paints sonar pictures of the lingering winter season. Eckemoff s original compositions converse with the incredible work of the celebrated Danish bassist Mads Vinding and are aided by Peter Erskine s drumming brilliance. Flawless interplay between these three fantastic musicians beholds a mutual understanding and concord on an exceedingly deep level. The margins between improvisation and composition in this refined music are almost indistinguishable; the structures are consistently complex, intricate and even epic. The music on Cold Sun flows genuinely and demonstrates not only the compositional talents of Eckemoff, but also the extraordinary interplay between the trio. Uniqueness of this striking music and the unsurpassed mastery of its performance make Cold Sun a stand out on the front row of the finest modern jazz and chamber records out today.

Press Release by Chris DiGirolamo/Two For the Show Media, June 25, 2010

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