Synergy: Bobby Kapp Plays The Music Of Richard Sussman (Tweed Boulevard)
Bobby Kapp & Richard Sussman
Released July 2023
DownBeat Four-and-a-Half-Star Review
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lmP_yIZPUlULjTiuE1dbtbUtKfZbTpOq8
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About:
The album “Synergy” features original compositions for clarinet/bass clarinet, violin, French horn, tenor sax, piano, bass, and drums. “Synergy” – the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements, contributions, etc. – describes the collaboration of Richard Sussman and Bobby Kapp on this remarkable recording. With “Synergy”, Sussman continues his exploration of the integration of jazz harmonies and improvisation with contemporary classical compositional techniques and instrumentation.
Track Listening:
1. Tweed Boulevard 09:31
2. Infinite Mobility 08:44
3. Inner Space 07:14
4. From the Heart 07_05
5. Synergy 06:43
6. Trance Dance 06:37
7. Whirling Dervish 04:26
8. Radioactive 04:53
Personnel:
Bobby Kapp: drums
Richard Sussman: piano
Zach Brock: violin
Aaron Irwin: clarinet, bass clarinet
Abraham Burton: tenor saxophone
John Clark: French horn
Harvie S: bass
Scott Reeves: conductor
Review:
Drummer Bobby Kapp is probably best known for his association with the jazz avant garde, including recordings with Marion Brown, Dave Burrell, Matthew Shipp and Ivo Perelman. However, he has also performed in more boppish settings, including co-leadership of the Fine Wine Trio with pianist Richard Wyands and bassist Gene Perla. For Synergy, Kapp (who mostly assumes a quiet and supportive role) gathered together an intriguing group to perform the composi – tions and arrangements of pianist Richard Sussman. While working with everyone from Lionel Hampton and Lee Konitz to Steve Slagle and Randy Brecker, Sussman (who made his recording debut in 1977) also developed into a notable composer whose originals are full of unpredictable moments. Using an ensemble on Synergy that includes bass clarinet or clar – inet, French horn, violin and tenor on the front line plus his piano in the rhythm section, Sussman presents music that is harmonically advanced, sets mysterious atmospheres, swings over complex chord changes and is often rhythmically catchy. The pianist’s chord voicings are as original as his themes and set the mood for each piece. There are many fine individual moments with Burton’s playing bringing back the spirit of John Coltrane, John Clark’s French horn adding to the density of the ensembles and the variety of the solos, and Aaron Irwin playing a rhythmic pattern on “Trance Dance” that is the basis of the song. But it is Sussman’s writing, which is inspired by both modern jazz and 20th-century classical music, that gives Synergy its own fresh musical personality.
Scott Yanow (DownBeat)
