“On fire.” These are the words flashing inside my head as pianist/composer Walter Kemp 3– and his extremely talented band, Black Whole – play with intense agility and precision through nine-plus minutes of their latest long-form jazz/experimental excursion, “Good Morning.” Seriously, these guys are, individually, masters of their instruments. But together? It’s a veritable quick-changing and jam-filled melodic storm. Let’s break it down:
Who’s playing? That’s Walter Kemp 3 on piano, Scott Tixier on violin, Brent Birckhead on reeds, Rishon Odel on bass, and Allan Mednard on drums.
What’s so great about it? Well, what isn’t?
The track subtly thunders from the start with lower-register piano and paralleling bass phrases – they create an earthy mantle upon which Birkhead’s horns and Tixier’s violin invoke communing, collusive, and careening melody.
And as that gorgeously rumbling undercurrent rephrases itself, the impressive, virtuosic salvo begins. First, Birkhead with a darting, rapid-fire note assault wrung from saxophone – it finally mellows, returning to the earlier established melodic line.
Next up, Tixier’s staccato violin strokes and streaky, sliding solos both in tune and purposely atonal. And when it finishes, that foundational undercurrent resumes; the crowd – because this is a live affair – cheers exuberantly.
With almost psychically discerned chord changes, speedy and effortless drumming, grounding and light-fingered keys, and soaring horn and violin, “Good Morning” is a powerful melodic journey told in a thousand notes. If you like jazz, immense musicianship, and spontaneous virtuosic explosions, you’ll LOVE “Good Morning” by Walter Kemp 3 and Black Whole.
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BELOW: Listen to Good Morning and check out Walter Kemp 3 and Black Whole on their website. Please support Walter Kemp 3 and all his musical endeavors by visiting his website and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music.
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