The Hal Galper Quartet's new album "Cubist" was recorded live in an open session format with a small but involved audience.
With his focus on 'the art of the trio' since moving on from the Phil Woods Quintet in the late '80s, pianist Hal Galper made a major, personal musical statement in adding his old friend and saxophone titan Jerry Bergonzi to a late 2016 tour and live recording. Diving into the 'Rubato' deep end with the trio, Bergonzi provided another dimension and an added spark, opening unforeseen avenues to the trio and quickly becoming an integral part of Galper's musical concepts.
Recorded at Cleveland's Tri-C, Tommy LiPuma Center for Creative Arts, the quartet recorded live in an open session format with a small but involved audience. Bassist Jeff Johnson contributed much of the music for the tour and four of the tracks for the recording. His composition "Cubist," provided the implied visual of a subject with many parts out of place or overly-dramatized, offering new perspectives on a familiar image, and a fine metaphor for the music. "...a moment of thrilling uncertainty, slightly airborne and stretched out in unusual shapes and motions, and (the moment extended) out for the length of a song, each and every time." - Wondering Sound.
"...the high level of integration and communication the trio displays is rare and quite thrilling to experience." - Downbeat.
"He has also found two like-minded musical brothers in bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop, versatile and sophisticated players who can keep up with his 'Rubato' concept, one of playing loose and free with tempo and harmony - even structure - twisting the familiar forms like a rubber band, then pulling them back and letting them fly free." - All About Jazz.
Personnel Hal Galper - Piano Jerry Bergonzi - Saxophone John Bishop - Drums Jeff Johnson - Double bass
