Now in his 82nd year, stellar pianist and composer Barron is perhaps best known for his partnership with Stan Getz, heard on Anniversary (1987), Serenity (1987), Soul Eyes, Yours & Mine (1989) and People Time (1991). Getz called him “the other half of my heart”.
Barron demonstrates his continuing mastery of all jazz styles and idioms. Here he presented a hand-picked quartet of much younger players, and produced a record with moments of sublime beauty, tenderness and some breakneck tempos.
The session begins with a moving interpretation of the Hoagy Carmichael and Ned Washington classic The Nearness Of You. Relative newcomer altoist Immanuel Wilkins fashions a moving solo with sensitive support from his colleagues. The second track, Scratch (a Barron original), is to these ears disjointed but partly redeemed by an inventive vibraphone solo from Steve Nelson – who also appeared on Barron’s album Golden Lotus (1982).
Innocent (also by Barron) is more delicate, and again features the 26-year old Wilkins, with drummer Jonathan Blake in gently propulsive support. Blues On Stratford Road features talented bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa and an appropriately blues-inflected solo from Barron. He also composed the sprightly Tragic Magic, with Wilkins and Nelson at full stretch, urged on by Barron’s nimble fingering. One cavil: Blake’s extended drum break soon begins to pall.
The title track is perhaps the best – a pensive performance of (yet) another Barron original. It features subdued contributions from Nelson and Wilkins, before Kenny brings the proceedings to a gentle close. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise has a refreshingly fast-paced work-out, while Sunset, the opening track on Barron’s first recording with his own group Sunset To Dawn (1973), which established his reputation, brings an engaging album to a satisfactory conclusion.
Beyond This Place deserves its place in Barron’s already prolific and distinguished oeuvre. What will he do next?
Discography
The Nearness Of You; Scratch; Innocence; Blues On Stratford Road; Tragic Magic; Beyond This Place; Softly As In A Morning Sunrise; Sunset; We See (57.51)
Barron (p); Immanuel Wilkins (as); Steve Nelson (vib); Kiyoshi Kitwaga (b); Johnathan Blake (d). Midi Live Studio, 25 & 26 February 2023.
Artwork Records ARTR007
