Title: Yelena Eckemoff And Cory Smythe: Imagination Unbound
Yelena Eckemoff and Cory Smythe have configured mirror images in music that reflect global mindsets of race, gender and class in the wake of COVID lockdowns and in the midst of climate change (among other controversies). The former postulates an insular existence populated only by a single individual and a sole figure with whom he finds empathy, while the latter formulates a world vision from a single point of view scanning the boundaries of culture(s). In keeping with the various perceptions arising from the main characters in their dramatic narratives, layered arrangements featuring an often exotic variety of instruments illustrate in great detail the challenges of contemporary existence(s). Eckemoff and Smythe have thus depicted worlds in constant change, but also proffered some tangible comfort in the sounds of their songs, while at the same time proffering an implicit bond between listeners of these imaginative works and the musicians who’ve brought the material to life.
The beauty of pianist/composer Eckemoff’s ambitious work here is that the carefully-crafted, multi-leveled concept never impinges upon the flow of the musicianship. Quite the contrary, as the arrangements not only further the colorful narrative (chapters of which consist of prose and paintings in the accompanying thirty-two page booklet), but also demonstrate how such detailed charts, in the right hands, replicate the open-ended spontaneity of improvisation. Toward that end too, the variety of instruments—various Japanese flutes by Masaru Koga, electric and acoustic bass plus multiple keyboards from the composer/bandleader—provide as much backdrop as pertinent detail to the unfolding storyline: the familiar sound of Kirk Knuffke’s cornet (almost) offsets the oddity of certain tones and textures that permeate an environmental maelstrom no longer as familiar as it used to be prior to marked change. A near-perfect clarity and balance of recorded sound pervades the ninety-some minutes on two CDs, a logical reflection of this artist’s overall creative lucidity.
What makes Yelena Eckemoff so compelling an artist is that her narratives draw you into their worlds with a mesmerising simplicity that tellers of fables like Aesop, the Grimms and – refusniks and naysayers notwithstanding – Roald Dahl. Pick any story by those narrators and read, then listen to one told by Ms Eckemoff and you will be spellbound with all concerned. Ms Eckemoff has – to my mind – a slight edge because she sets her tales to music and has a marvellous sense of orchestration to draw you further into her world [and that of the story] as if she were creating an operatic score sans the de rigueur aria.
If you [the reader] thinks that this sounds like hyperbole… well perish the thought and dive into the world of the Lonely Man and His Fish. Like the stories told by those mentioned above, Ms Eckemoff’s story is utterly beckoning and once you begin to be drawn into its narrative you are hooked until the proverbial end. What makes Ms Eckemoff so special is that she has a history of creating partnerships with her ensembles elevating them to new levels. This, of course, extends to individual musicians [and the ensembles] whose performances are elevated to a new level. Ms Eckemoff remains the principal character [in all her narratives] who – in turn – galvanises her musicians to create the intensity of a live concert – like a short instrumental pantomime.
This magical ability by the pianist and composer, who in the studio, generates this is not just for the microphones and her ear for orchestral colour is extraordinarily acute. First of all, her compositions reveal that she has a proximity with nature that is supernal. It’s almost as if, when writing, she literally takes the form each of the characters that she intends to give life to. Then withdrawing herself from her two-dimensional creations she regards them from a safe distance and begins to add the third and fourth dimensions, to sculpt them and – like a kind of later-day Geppetto – to bring them to life. This is the kind of magic that makes the Lonely Man and His Fish seem real; and come to life.
Now her genius for orchestration comes into play. On the recording in question, she sets up the narrative on disc one. Here the principal protagonist is the Lonely Man. He is “played” by Kirk Knuffke – or to be more specific – by Mr Knuffke’s cornet. For his part Mr Knuffke makes masterful use of the unique conical bore, more compact shape, and mellower tone quality of the instrument [and its natural transposition in B♭] to literally become the Lonely Man. Throughout the development of the story – and the relationship between that Lonely Man and His Fish an instrumental/narrative relationship develops between Mr Knuffke and his cornet [which is now the voice of the Lonely Man], and the other protagonist – that is The Fish, played – or voiced – here by Masaru Koga and his Japanese flutes.
The dramatic twist and turns takes place after the Lonely Man meets with an accident and ends up in hospital. Then, on disc two, the Fish begins an adventure of a lifetime as he falls into the hands of a nurse entrusted to care for him. Ms Eckemoff’s score is now turned over to Mr Koga and his bamboo flutes to voice the Lonely Fish who is – quite literally put through the ringer – by being taken out of the safety of his aquarium and dumped into a large pond. Mr Koga’s virtuoso performance – like Mr Knuffke’s as the Lonely Man – captures all the dramatic palpitating splashes – often jittery shimmies and a slithering dive into thick underwater weeds – in the misadventure of the hapless Fish.
Yelena Eckemoff [centre] with [left – right] Ben Street Eric Harland, Kirk Knuffke and Masaru Koga
Like Mr Knuffke’s performance on cornet as the Lonely Man, Mr Koga’s buoyant performance as the Fish in the story is magical both in the manner of which both musicians bring the character [of man and fish] to life. Through his deft use of orchestral colour Mr Knuffke can paint a dusky, impressionistic picture of backdrop upon which, with bittersweet wailing, his Lonely Man navigates his life. Mr Koga is tasked with recreating a much livelier character who bedazzles his lonely, almost wan looking patron and elevates his ordinary life swimming around his aquarium, then – as his fishy life takes a dark turn, the flutist matches every dramatic twist with a virtuoso performance to match.
If you approach this recording of Lonely Man and His Fish was a two-dimensional interaction between a human and an aquatic creature, perish the thought. Ms Eckemoff together with her harmonic and rhythm partners – the inimitable bassist Ben Street and drummer and percussionist Eric Harland – have set about to provide vivid atmospherics in which walks the Lonely Man, just as his beloved Fish enjoys the adventure of a lifetime. This may sound like a children’s story. But as with Aesop, the Grimms and Mr Dahl we now know there was never an adult who was not seduced by the adventure or found an important lesson to learn. The added dimension is the wonderfully written music and the ensemble’s cultured playing, deftly imagining the unfolding story. As always, Ms Eckemoff’s written word accompanies the music in a lavishly printed booklet – mimicking, in a way – an opera’s libretto. And, also – as always – in throwing herself and drawing her musicians into her world Ms Eckemoff pulls off another wonderful recording.
Deo gratis…
Music – Disc One – 1: Lonely Man; 2: Pet Store; 3: First Evening at Home; 3: Breakfast for Two; 5: Man and His Fish; 6: Accident; 7: In Hospital. Disc Two – 1: Into the Wild; 2: Life in the Pond; 3: Survivor; 4: Empty House; 5: Song for Spark; 6: Call for Friendship; 7: Dreaming Together
Musicians – Yelena Eckemoff: compositions, piano, Fender Rhodes Suitcase 73 and Musser Ampli-celeste; Kirk Knuffke: cornet; Masaru Koga: Japanese flutes; Ben Street: contrabass and electric bass; Eric Harland: drums and percussion.
Recorded –2023 Label – L & H [cd806 151-34] Runtime – Disc One 41:47 Disc Two 45:32
Pianist/composer Yelena Eckemoff’s repertoire of elaborate, ambitious jazz concept recordings reaches a new summit with Lonely Man and His Fish. Released on her L&H Productions label, the double CD set is also a long-form parable, a story of deep affection between a human and his beloved pet. Eckemoff is accompanied by cornetist Kirk Knuffke, flutist Masaru Koga, bassist Ben Street and drummer Eric Harland. Like her previous projects, Lonely Man and His Fish is a triumph of casting, with the titular roles interpreted by unmistakable instrumentalists.
Via his trumpeting on “The Lonely Man,” Kirk Knuffke brings the soul and inner spirit of the Lonely Man to life with empathetic warmth and concentrated feeling, subtly portraying melancholy, affection, remorse, anxiety, and joy without a hint of sentimentality. During “Life in the Pond” Masaru Koga gives a splendid interpretation of the Fish named Spark on the shakuhachi, a Japanese end-blown bamboo flute. Yelena plays the celeste on the title track and on “Dreaming Together” which was the first time she has recorded on anything other than the piano in a studio setting.
Overall, Lonely Man and His Fish is yet another splendid illustrative work of art that Eckemoff and company have brought to life via their masterful musicality. The tone, the moods, emotions, and personal ideas about the subject matter keep this music interesting and worthy of addition to your collection of concept recordings. Check it out.
LONELY MAN AND HIS FISH [L&H cd806151-34] by pianist/composer YELENA ECKEMOFF features the playing of Kirk Knuffke [cornet], Masaru Koga [flts], Ben Street [b] and Eric Harland [dms/perc]. This is an ambitious two CD set that musically tells a fanciful and engaging story. Beyond the music, the disc comes with a 32-page booklet offering photos, artwork and the complete text of the story.
Russian-born jazz pianist YELENA ECKEMOFF releases another brilliant concept double album “Lonely Man And His Fish”, which is also her 18th release. Together with her quintet of Kirk Knuffke (cornet), Masaru Koga (Japanese flutes), Ben Street (acoustic & electric bass) and Eric Harland (drums, perc.), she tells the story of a retired orchestral trumpeter and his fish Spark (musically represented by the Japanese flute), who both get along brilliantly from the moment of purchase (CD1), until the man’s bicycle accident separates them, but they finally find each other again (CD2). A multifaceted, exciting Contemporary Jazz CD with imaginative storytelling.
Original German:
Die in Russland geborene Jazzpianistin YELENA ECKEMOFF veröffentlicht mit “Lonely Man And His Fish” ein weiteres geniales Konzept-Doppelalbum, das gleichzeitig ihre 18. Veröffentlichung darstellt. Zusammen mit ihrem Quintett um Kirk Knuffke (cornet), Masaru Koga (japanese flutes), Ben Street (acoustic & electric bass) und Eric Harland (drums, perc.) erzählt sie die Geschichte eines pensionierten Orchester-Trompeters und seines Fisches Spark (musikalisch dargestellt von der japanischen Flöte), die sich vom Kauf an beide blendend verstehen (CD1), bis ein Fahrradunfall des Mannes beide trennt, und sie sich aber schließlich doch wiederfinden (CD2). Eine facettenreiche, spannende Contemporary Jazz-CD mit einfallsreichen Storytelling.
Russian translation:
Родившаяся в России джазовая пианистка ЕЛЕНА ЭКЕМОФФ выпускает еще один блестящий концептуальный двойной альбом Lonely Man And His Fish, который также отмечает ее 18-й релиз. Вместе со своим квинтетом вокруг Кирка Кнаффке (корнет), Масару Кога (японские флейты), Бена Стрита (акустическая и электрическая бас-гитара) и Эрика Харланда (барабаны, перкуссия) она рассказывает историю оркестрового трубача на пенсии и его рыбки Искры (мюзикл изображается японской флейтой), которые нашли общий язык с момента покупки (CD1) до тех пор, пока их не разлучила авария на велосипеде, но, наконец, они снова нашли друг друга (CD2). Многогранный, захватывающий современный джазовый компакт-диск с творческим повествованием.
Pianist, composer and producer Yelena Eckemoff is a virtuoso of emotional expression in music. In the world of contemporary jazz, few artists have managed to capture the hearts of listeners and critics like Yelena Eckemoff. Eckemoff, a Russian-born pianist and composer based in New York City, has gained wide recognition for her remarkable talent, distinctive style and deeply emotional compositions. Thanks to the study of classical piano, she acquired the basis of her exceptional technical skills. However, it was her curiosity and adventurous spirit that over the years led her to explore a variety of genres, including jazz. Yelena Eckemoff’s music can be described as a charming scenery of emotions, experiences and storytelling. Each of her compositions paints vivid images and transports listeners to a completely different world. Her ability to convey complex emotions through music sets her apart from many of her contemporaries.
Yelena Eckemoff is known to work with leading artists, and for her latest album she once again teamed up with an interesting quintet to fulfill her new musical visions in 14 author’s compositions. The album opens with a gentle, sonorous ballad Lonely Man, where listeners can enjoy its wonderful sound built on jazz in conjunction with shades of classical impressionism. Pet Store enhances impressionistic sound painting using the flute, but at the same time it revives the energy and playfulness of the staccato accompaniment of the piano. The excellent interplay of the band in the mutual development of phrases in improvisation also comes to the fore here.
In Man and His Fish, Eckemoff shows that her expressive means of working with color do not stop at the piano. In her performance here sound delicate shades of Fender Rhodes keys. She also shows her qualities as a composer in an ingenious motivational work throughout the composition. In addition, here we can hear excellent collective improvisations. At all, the overall sound of the grouping is very gentle and colorful. Eckemoff has bet on a combination of her strengths and that of classical music with jazz. In its expression, it respects tradition, but at the same time penetrates into the modern sound of the jazz quintet.
The composition of Accident is one of the most distinctive compositions of the album, which is reflected in the more vigorous rhythmization of the accompanying voicings and especially in the excellent aggressive playing of drums performed by Eric Harland, thanks to which we can feel the dynamism and story of the accident throughout the song.
The qualities of Yelena Eckemoff as a composer who can tell stories through music are evident from the entire album, but her skill for escalating drama and form construction is shown especially in the song Into the Wild, where we can also hear a beautiful sound painting of the rainforest performed by an ethnic flute with a very breathy tone.
It is obvious that Eckemoff has taken great care of the overall sound of the band and once again shows how she can conceptually prepare an excellent project. Amazing work with sound persists until the last composition Dreaming Together, where the world of dreaming is complemented by the delicate color of the Celeste.
Eckemoff brilliantly showed that she still knows how to look for new means of expression for her compositions and original sound, while not having to go into any exaggerated experiments. She is able to respect the jazz tradition and move it into other contexts and shades. Pronounced melodicity, thoughtful compositions, brilliant improvisations, inspiration in classical music and swing feeling make this album an excellent, original modern jazz album. From the cover to the final tone of the album, it’s clear that Eckemoff elevates her multi-discipline productions into a thoughtful artistic experience! Immerse yourself in the colorful musical world of Yelena Eckemoff with the album Lonely Man and His Fish!
Original Slovak:
Klaviristka, skladateľka a producentka Yelena Eckemoff je virtuóz emocionálneho vyjadrenia v hudbe. Vo svete súčasného jazzu sa len máloktorým umelcom podarilo chytiť za srdce poslucháčov a kritikov tak ako Yelene Eckemoff. Eckemoff, klaviristka a skladateľka pôsobiaca v New Yorku, pochádzajúca z Ruska, si získala široké uznanie za svoj pozoruhodný talent, osobitý štýl a hlboko emotívne kompozície. Vďaka štúdiu klasického klavíru získala základ jej výnimočných technických zručností. Bola to však jej zvedavosť a dobrodružný duch, ktorý ju v priebehu rokov priviedol k objavovaniu rôznych žánrov vrátane jazzu. Hudbu Yeleny Eckemoff možno opísať ako očarujúcu scenériu emócií, zážitkov a rozprávania. Každá z jej skladieb maľuje živé obrazy a prenáša poslucháčov do úplne iného sveta. Jej schopnosť prenášať zložité emócie prostredníctvom hudby ju odlišuje od mnohých jej súčasníkov. Yelena Eckemoff je známa, že spolupracuje s poprednými umelcami a na svoj najnovší album sa opäť spojila so zaujímavým kvintetom, aby naplnila svoje nové hudobné vízie v 14-tich autorských kompozíciách. Album otvára jemná, zvukomalebná balada Lonely Man, kde si poslucháči môžu vychutnať jej nádherný sound postavený na jazze v spojení s odtieňmi klasického impresionizmu. Pet Store umocňuje impresionistickú zvukomaľbu s použitím flauty, no zároveň sa tu oživuje energickosť a hravosť staccatovým sprievodom klavíru. Do popredia tu vystupuje aj vynikajúca súhra kapely vo vzájomnom rozvíjaní fráz v improvizácii. V skladbe Man and His Fish ukazuje Eckemoff, že jej výrazové prostriedky práca s farbou nekončia len pri klavíri. V jej podaní tu zaznievajú jemné odtiene Fender Rhodes kláves. Taktiež tu ukazuje svoje kvality aj ako skladateľka v dômyselnej motivickej práci naprieč celou kompozíciou. Okrem toho tu môžeme počuť vynikajúce kolektívne improvizácie. Vôbec, celkový sound zoskupenia je veľmi jemný a farebný. Eckemoff vsadila na kombináciu jej najsilnejších stránok a to klasickej hudby s jazzom. Vo svojom výraze rešpektuje tradíciu, no zároveň preniká aj do moderného soundu jazzového kvinteta. Kompozícia Accident patrí k najráznejším kompozíciám albumu, čo sa odzrkadľuje aj na ráznejšej rytmizácii sprievodných voicingov a hlavne na vynikajúcej agresívnej hre bicích nástrojov v podaní Erica Harlanda, vďaka čomu môžeme celú skladbu cítiť dynamizmus a príbeh nehody. Kvality Yeleny Eckemoff ako skladateľky, ktorá dokáže hudbou rozprávať príbehy sú evidentné z celého albumu, no jej um pre stupňovanie dramatickosti a formovej výstavby sa ukazuje najmä v skladbe Into the Wild, kde môžeme počuť aj krásne zvukomaľbu pralesa v podaní etnickej flauty s veľmi dyšným tónom. Je evidentné, že Eckemoff si dala veľmi záležať na celkovom sounde kapely a opäť ukazuje ako dokáže konceptuálne pripraviť vynikajúci projekt. Úžasná práca so zvukom pretrváva až do poslednej kompozície Dreaming Together, kde svet snívania dopĺňa jemná farba čelesty. Eckemoff brilantne ukázala, že stále vie hľadať nové výrazové prostriedky pre svoje kompozície a originálny sound, pričom nemusí zachádzať do žiadnych prehnaných experimentov. Dokáže rešpektovať jazzovú tradíciu a posúvať ju do iných kontextov a odtieňov. Výrazná melodickosť, premyslené kompozície, brilantné improvizácie, inšpirácie v klasickej hudbe a swingový feeling z tohto albumu robia vynikajúci, originálny moderný jazzový album. Od obálky až po posledný tón albumu je jasné, že Eckemoff povyšuje svoje produkcie na súhru viacerých disciplín do premysleného umeleckého zážitku! Ponorte sa aj vy do pestrého hudobného sveta Yeleny Eckemoff s albumom Lonely Man and His Fish!
It’s already her 18th Album in 13 years. And Yelena Eckemoff not only composes all the pieces – she puts the bands together, goes to the studio with them, does the label work, writes the album story, paints all songs and not least plays a remarkable jazz piano (as well as electric piano and this time also an electric celesta). For Lonely Man and His Fish, the pianist has a story about lonely man, who has a pet fish, but then has to go to the hospital, has his fish lost and finally finds him again. The grandiose Kirk Knuffke portraits the lonely man from the cornet, Masaru Koga gives the fishy counterpart – on a Shakuhachi flute. Ben Street (b) and Eric Harland (dr) complete the Dream Team. In 14 pieces (on 2 CDs) the pretty story is told – thoughtful (“Lonely Man”), hectic (“Accident”), mysterious Hospital”), nervous [Life in the Pond”) or sad (“Empty House”). Mainstream jazz is not reinvented here, but everyone plays really big – with empathy, power, skill and audible fun. In some way exhilarating.
“Lonely Man and his Fish” – that sounds like a story. It is. It is printed in the multi-page booklet. The musical accompaniment is provided by the quintet around pianist Yelena Eckemoff. For example, we learn that Tim (the name of the lonely man) buys a goldfish, which he calls “Spark” and to whom he plays the trumpet every day after breakfast. This part is taken over on the CD by the creative cornetist Kirk Knuffke, who in turn has already received several awards for his numerous recordings as a leader and co-leader. Here he awakens the soul of the lonely man with sensitive warmth. Eckemoff wanted to describe the fish with a Japanese shakuhachi and enlisted Masaru Koga, a Japanese-born saxophonist and flutist known for settings of traditional and popular Japanese melodies in jazz. Ben Street and Eric Harland perform on bass and drums, respectively. This is not the first conceptual work for North Carolina native Yelena Eckemoff; very often it is her preferred approach.
There is something playful, observant, but also sad (“Song for Spark”) about the realization of the story on this double album. After Tim’s accident and the loss of his fish, it’s the sound of the trumpet that ultimately brings them back together.
The music on its own would not be enough, the full effect is achieved only after dealing with what is behind it. Only then does one immerse oneself and find the connections. That is exactly what is special about so-called concept albums – the images develop with the story as you listen. Aloi
Original German:
„Lonely Man and his Fish” – das klingt nach einer Geschichte. Ist es auch. Sie steht im mehrseitigen Book-let abgedruckt. Die musikalische Begleitung dazu liefert das Quintett um Pianistin Yelena Eckemoff. So erfährt man zum Beispiel, dass Tim (so heißt der einsame Mann) sich einen Goldfisch kauft, den er „Spark” nennt und dem er jeden Tag nach dem Frühstück auf der Trompete vorspielt. Diesen Part übernimmt auf der CD der kreative Kornettist Kirk Knuffke, der seinerseits für seine zahlreichen Aufnahmen als Leader und Co-Leader schon einige Auszeichnungen erhalten hat. Hier erweckt er die Seele des lonely man mit einfühlsamer Wärme. Den Fisch wollte Eckemoff mit einer japanischen Shakuhachi beschreiben und engagierte Masaru Koga, einen in Japan geborenen Saxophonisten und Flötisten, der für Vertonungen traditioneller und populärer japanischer Melodien im Jazz bekannt ist. Am Bass und Schlagzeug agieren Ben Street und Eric Harland. Für die aus North Carolina stammende Yelena Eckemoff ist dies nicht das erste konzeptionelle Werk, sehr oft ist das ihre bevorzugte Herangehensweise.
Die Umsetzung der Geschichte auf diesem Doppelalbum hat etwas Verspieltes, Beobachtendes, aber auch Trauriges („Song for Spark”). Nach Tims Unfall und dem Verlust seines Fisches bringt erst der Sound der Trompete die beiden letztendlich wieder zusammen.
Die Musik für sich allein würde nicht genügen, die volle Wirkung wird erst nach der Beschäftigung mit dem, was dahintersteckt, erzielt. Erst dann taucht man ein und findet die Zusammenhänge. Genau das ist das Spezielle an sogenannten Konzeptalben – die Bilder entwickeln sich mit der Geschichte beim Zuhören. aloi
Yelena Eckemoff’s latest work is a gorgeous 2-disc set. Yelena Eckemoff is a pianist from Russia who continues to release top-notch works. In addition to Masaru Koga, a Japanese multi-lead player based in San Francisco, this latest work also features cornetist Kirk Knuffke, bassist Ben Street, and drummer and percussionist Eric Harland. It seems that Masaru Koga, who can play the shakuhachi, was called to express the fish that appears in the title, but the concept of this album is also interesting. The sound of Yelena Ekemoff’s piano and Fender Rhodes is also wonderful. Includes 14 tracks in 2 discs. It is finished as a gorgeous work with a 32-page booklet. [Yelena Eckemoff’s ‘three wishes’ are featured in the opening feature.]
The Moscow-born pianist and composer Yelena Eckemoff has already released a number of records with the company L & H Production, including some trio records. Here she is in a quintet format.
The mother, Olga, a professional pianist, taught the four-year-old to play the piano and soon a very successful career including studies and corresponding master degrees developed. Yelena herself later became a piano teacher, played solo concerts, jazz and also experimental jazz rock. In 1991 she left the Soviet Union and has lived in the United States of America ever since.
She records with constantly changing line-ups, but seems to attach importance to being supported by top-class musicians, as here, on the new double album Lonely Man And His Fish again, including now as a special splash of color with Masaru Koga, who plays Japanese flutes, that could possibly set a direction. But my assumption is not confirmed, namely that there are also strong traces of Japanese music to be found. Because Koga ultimately plays very jazzy, albeit with a fairly free expression, and ultimately brings a special touch to the music, namely because the sound of the Japanese flutes still gives a little touch of Japan to the room.
Most recently, I introduced the pianist in 2022 with her album I Am A Stranger In This World , and the hard-working musician is now following up with two CDs in a double pack. And once again we have succeeded in presenting music that is full of life, full of creativity and combines elements of jazz, classical music and a little folklore at a high level into a fused jazz that contains the typical elements of long improvisational passages.
According to the press release, a little story should also be told in the form of a concept album, as it says:…an elegant, simple story that unfolds with the suggestive power of a parable. On the surface, it’s a story often told. A man meets a fish. The man loses the fish. Fish and man are reunited. But in the musical world of Eckemoff, who is also a poet and graphic artist and is responsible for the album’s striking cover art, seemingly simple stories reveal both the wonderful glow of everyday life and our spiritual connection with the natural world. If you want to know exactly what it’s about, you should take a look at the detailed liner notes, with the history of each individual song, as well as which roles the respective musicians embody in this story.
When reading the line-up, I came across the protagonist’s instrument “vintage Ampli-celeste”. This instrument, reminiscent of the sound of a marimba, can be heard well, for example, on “Man And His Fish”; it brings a very interesting tonal variation into the music. Together with the various Japanese flutes, a different world of sound has finally opened up again compared to earlier productions, yes, the artist seems to be constantly developing and bringing in new ideas, which ultimately also benefits the music, as she always has an effect fresh.
Cornetist Knuffke is the musician who, in my opinion, brings the strongest jazz influence to the music, while Yelena is more responsible for the classic characteristics, but not in order not to swing as well. Street and Harland as the rhythm section adapt to every color and play from jazz to fusion exactly to the point and form a dreamlike unit, always driving the respective solo musicians, always helping to shape it. And so music was created that seems “new” because the narrative character is quite understandable and – for those who don’t know the story yet – a new one is told through the music, which carries and also expresses quite a lot of different emotions, so these are two very entertaining albums of the highest quality.
Original German:
Die aus Moskau stammende Pianistin und Komponistin Yelena Eckemoff hat bereits etliche Platten mit der Firma L & H Production veröffentlicht, darunter einige Trio-Platten. Hier ist sie im Quintettformat unterwegs. Die Mutter, Olga, eine professionelle Pianistin lehrte der gerade einmal Vierjährigen das Pianospiel und schon bald entwickelte sich eine sehr erfolgreiche Laufbahn inklusive Studium und entsprechenden meisterlichen Abschlüssen. Selbst wurde Yelena später Klavierlehrerin, spielte Solokonzerte, Jazz und auch experimentellen Jazz Rock. 1991 verliess sie die Sowjetunion und lebt seitdem in den Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika.
Sie nimmt mit stets wechselnden Besetzungen auf, scheint aber Wert darauf zu legen, jeweils von hochkarätigen Musikern unterstützt zu werden, wie hier, auf dem neuen Doppel-Album Lonely Man And His Fish auch wieder, darunter nun als besonderen Farbtupfer mit Masaru Koga, der japanische Flöten spielt, das könnte möglicherweise auch eine Richtung vorgeben. Doch meine Vermutung bestätigt sich nicht, nämlich Jene, dass auch starke Spuren japanischer Musik zu finden sind. Denn Koga spielt letztlich sehr jazzmäßig, allerdings mit einer recht freien Ausprägung und bringt letztlich damit dennoch einen besonderen Anstrich in die Musik, und zwar dadurch, dass durch den Klang der japanischen Flöten dennoch ein kleiner Hauch von Japan durch den Raum schwebt.
Zuletzt stellte ich die Pianistin 2022 mit ihrem Album I Am A Stranger In This World vor, und die fleissige Musikerin legt nun gleich mit zwei CDs im Doppelpack nach. Und erneut ist es gelungen, Musik vorzustellen, die voller Leben steckt, voller Kreativität und auf hohem Niveau Elemente des Jazz, der Klassik und halt ein wenig Folklore zusammenfügt zu einem fusionierten Jazz, der die typischen Elemente von langen Improvisationspassagen enthält.
Laut Pressetext soll in Form eines Konzeptalbums auch eine kleine Geschichte erzählt werden, wie es heisst: …eine elegante, einfache Geschichte, die sich mit der suggestiven Kraft einer Parabel entfaltet. Oberflächlich betrachtet ist es eine oft erzählte Geschichte. Ein Mann trifft einen Fisch. Der Mann verliert den Fisch. Fisch und Mensch werden wiedervereint. Aber in der musikalischen Welt von Eckemoff, die auch Dichterin und Grafikerin ist und für das eindrucksvolle Cover des Albums verantwortlich zeichnet, offenbaren scheinbar einfache Geschichten sowohl das wunderbare Leuchten des Alltags als auch unsere spirituelle Verbundenheit mit der natürlichen Welt. Wer es genau wissen möchte, worum es geht, sollte hierzu einen Blick in die ausführlichen Liner Notes, mit der Geschichte zu jedem einzelnen Song, werfen, auch, welche Rollen die jeweiligen Musiker in dieser Geschichte verkörpern.
Beim Lesen des Line-ups stieß ich bei der Protagonistin auf die Angabe des Instruments “vintage Ampli-celeste”. Dieses, an den Klang einer Marimba erinnernde Instrument kann man gut hören zum Beispiel auf “Man And His Fish”, es bringt eine klanglich sehr interessante Variante in die Musik. Zusammen mit den verschiedenen japanischen Flöten hat sich insgesamt, im Vergleich zu früheren Produktionen, letztlich erneut eine andere Klangwelt eröffnet, ja, die Künstlerin scheint sich ständig zu entwickeln und neue Ideen einzubringen, was letztlich auch der Musik zu gute kommt, wirkt sie doch stets frisch.
Kornettist Knuffke ist der Musiker, der aus meiner Sicht den stärksten Jazz-Einfluss in die Musik einbringt, während Yelena eher für die klassischen Ausprägungen verantwortlich zeichnet, jedoch nicht, um nicht auch zu swingen. Street und Harland als Rhythm Section passen sich jeder Färbung an und spielen von Jazz bis zur Fusion genau auf den Punkt und bilden eine traumwandlerische Einheit, stets die jeweilig solierenden Musiker antreibend, dabei stets mitgestaltend. Und so ist erneut Musik entstanden, die “neu” wirkt, weil der erzählerische Charakter durchaus nachvollziehbar ist und – wer die Geschichte eben noch nicht kennt – eine neue erzählt bekommt, durch die Musik, die recht viele unterschiedliche Emotionen in sich trägt und auch ausdrückt, somit sind es zwei sehr unterhaltende Alben von höchster Qualität.
