Lynne Arriale with Randy Brecker, George Mraz & Anthony Pinciotti - Nuance: The Bennett Studio Sessions (2016) [Hi-Res]

The piano as telephone: Lynne Arriale is well aware of the instrument‘s hidden communication possibilities and she knows better than any other member of the keyboard community how to make use of them. Her sensors are constantly receptive to any impulse sent out by one of her sidemen or by the target group in the audience. This American artist, nearly always performing with a trio combo, is not only considered to be world class but also to be in a class of her own. The result of her focus on the piano-bass-drums combination has been great success and international acclaim. ”Each one of her recordings can be bought unheard and almost every one of her performances is a sell-out.” This is the enthusiastic comment published in the November 2006 edition of the magazine, Jazzthing. The trio combination was a big hit. Now, suddenly, Lynne Arriale presents herself in an entirely different set-up.

Instead of the customary sidemen, ”Nuance“ is presenting new faces as far as Lynne is concerned. Well-known faces! The great George Mraz on bass, Anthony Pinciotti behind the drums, and whom do we discover on trumpet and fluegelhorn? None other than Randy Brecker. Now we have combination of four – a quartet – representing a significant change. A totally new orientation. Whoever assumed that Lynne Arriale would remain wedded to the golden triangle concept, will now learn otherwise with these recordings from the legendary Bennett studios (located outside New York City and where numerous Grammy and Emmy awarded sessions took place). A completely different alignment after her trio phase, a top-class line-up, arguably one of the most sensitive on the present jazz scene. This reorientation represented a challenge for the pianist and it brought out new elements in Lynne’s playing which hardly anyone had anticipated. Although Lynne still remains the leader, she presides over the group in a completely different and more flexible manner. The lady at the keys allows Brecker every possible freedom, adjusts to his unmistakable sound and thus creates the ground for one of the trumpet player’s most impressive performances in recent years - a win-win-situation, immediately evident at first contact. ”How could I ever tell Randy Brecker something new?“ joked Arriale. “You may tell me everything”, replied Brecker. So Lynne started to explain her musical philosophy. Six new, powerful originals and arrangements of tunes by Sting, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie and Tommy Wolf. “Each one a world of its own”, said Lynne. “Not hermetically sealed off, but open for any type of change. The melody however should never be drowned, not even during the hottest improvisation.”

And this exactly describes „Nuance“. An inner, deep agreement automatically transmitted to the listener. Musical communication of highest ranking, subtle, surprising, inspired and full of relish - Lynne Arriale‘s masterpiece as piano player, bandleader and composer. „She is unique,“ says Randy Brecker. ”Without competition. Her music transcends the word jazz; it’s really just pure music.”

"Arriale's challenging chordwork behind a bright and brassy Brecker is like Monk and Miles-era Herbie Hancock combined, and her solo is like sparks struck off flint. It's an intriguing new edge for a player usually commended for her elegance." (The Guardian)

"A strong candidate for jazz CD of 2009." (AMG)

"There's some lovely music to be heard here. [Arriale is] a pianist with a genteel touch and sensitive ear for color." (Chicago Tribune)

Lynne Arriale, piano
Randy Brecker, trumpet, flugelhorn
George Mraz, bass
Anthony Pinciotti, drums