Eric Rasmussen - School of Tristano

Steeplechase 31623

Nearly three decades after his death, new students are still coming under Lennie Tristano’s tutelage in a figurative sense. Altoist Eric Rasmussen and guitarist Nate Radley are cases in point. Both men succumbed to the thrall of pianist/composer in college, eventually transcribing tunes from both his songbook and those of his most prestigious sidemen, Warne Marsh and Lee Konitz. The ensemble format on this particular recital intentionally mirrors that of Konitz’s classic quartet with Billy Bauer, Arnold Fishkin and Jeff Morton. Bassist Dave Ambrosio fills the Fiskin slot adroitly while drummer Matt Wilson brings more rhythmic mutability and diversity to the current proceedings than the largely lockstep Morton ever did in Konitzian contexts. All four also have strong backgrounds in free playing, which further enhances the possibilities.

Rasmussen and Radley funnel their energies into recreating the effervescent intricacy inherent in the tunes’ tightly wound unisons and jackrabbit counterpoint. The respective tones on their instruments are similarly aligned, each man articulating aerated strings of notes that glide rather than chatter. Split second interplay on the lovely Tristano ballad “317 E. 32nd Street” and the spongy up-tempo “Marshmallow”, to take just two examples, combines intricacy and delicacy in a manner true to the sources while still involving spontaneously conceived deviations. The shades of smooth jazz colorant that occasionally tinge the pair’s cleanly slaloming lines are bit disconcerting, but the dexterity and supple drive behind their improvisations acts as an effective ballast against any torpidity. Besides, picturing players like Dave Koz or Kirk Whalum negotiating these complex charts, let alone improvising on them, is a near impossibility. Alto and guitar work as the primary fulcrums, but that doesn’t leave Ambrosio and Wilson free to twiddle their thumbs. Both engage in frequent and felicitous solos right along those of the frontline.

Scholars of Tristano and his various alumni will likely find this set a sure thing. For others less enamored with the formalities of the “school”, audible departures from the stylistic dictums are prevalent in highly personal forms. Steve Gardner’s notes contain direct testimony from Rassmussen stating his intentions for at least one more follow-up session with the same framework. Based on this first lesson, I’m definitely looking forward to a return to the classroom.

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~ Derek Taylor