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Dmitry Baevsky / Jeb Patton: We Two
ByThe materials of We Two are comprised of not-often-covered compositions by Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Jimmy Heath, and Cole Porter, plus Baevsky's "Something for Sonny," which sits nicely alongside the work of his celebrated predecessors. The treatments of the heads are noteworthy in themselves. During up-tempo selections, Baevsky's and Patton's interlocking parts allow for brief, audacious interpolations. Patton darts in and out of the melody of "Inception" and "The Serpent's Tooth," adroitly juggling harmonic, rhythmic and melodic roles without breaking stride. His support of Baevsky's solos throughout is befitting a musician whose concern with accompaniment extends to publishing two instructional books on jazz piano comping.
On "Something for Sonny" and "Fools Rush In" the duo engenders a relaxed, affable, soft-shoe swing that serves as a reminder that bop is often lighthearted and easily accessible. "Quasimodo" almost feels suspended in space, not overtly declaring a strict tempo as Baevsky and Patton execute the melody in unison. The head of "You'd Be So Easy to Love" is played a couple of ways. At the onset Baevsky confirms his credentials as a balladeer, sincere and vulnerable while subtly offering fluctuating dynamics and emotional nuances. On the way out of the track the duo sounds livelier but no less heartfelt.
The character of individual solos is invariably tied to the tenor of the material. Baevsky's turn on "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin,'" another deliberately paced, low-keyed cut, forsakes the long, rapid, lank chains of notes that are characteristic of his style. Instead, Baevsky usually pulls up short, thoughtfully ending phrases before they become lengthy and unnecessarily self-sufficient. The relationship between Patton's left and right handsloose, inquisitive, yet ultimately stableis evident throughout the pumped up "Inception" where chords jab at the rush of his single note lines.
Establishing a clear-cut identity, individually and collectively, while navigating the dictates of a fundamental jazz genre is no mean feat. Baevsky's and Patton's contributions to the bop tradition make for invigorating listening. Highly recommended.
Track Listing
Swingin' the Samba; Something for Sonny; Inception; Le Suerier Velours; All Through the Night; Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'; Fools Rush In; The Serpent's Tooth; Quasimodo; You'd Be So Easy To Love.
Personnel
Dmitry Baevsky
saxophone, altoDmitry Baevsky: alto sax; Jeb Patton: piano.
Album information
Title: We Two | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Jazz & People
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About Dmitry Baevsky
Instrument: Saxophone, alto
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