Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Tom Lawton: Retrospective/Debut

116

Tom Lawton: Retrospective/Debut

By

Sign in to view read count
Tom Lawton: Retrospective/Debut
When people talk about jazz meccas in the U.S., the cities that usually come up are New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco; rarely does Philadelphia come up, which is surprising as there have been a number of great artists to emerge from that city including Pat Martino, Uri Caine and Mickey Roker. With a vibrant scene that includes such outstanding players as pianist Jim Ridl, trumpeter John Swana and pianist Orrin Evans, the Dreambox Media label has been devoted to bringing news from the Philadelphia front to a larger audience. With Retrospective/Debut pianist Tom Lawton, educator and fixture on that scene, finally comes forward with a recording that combines the angularity of Thelonious Monk with a modern compositional edge that avoids the standard "head-solo-head" format, instead aiming for loftier territory.

With over two hours of compositions dating as early as '74 and as recent as '03, Lawton runs the gamut from straightforward ballad ("Titled") to edgy, irregular-metered intensity ("Placebo Effect"). Breaking the programme up by interspersing solo, duo, trio, quartet and quintet tracks, Lawton writes often-intriguing compositions that can be deceptive. "Dig the Chartreuse" moves along with a tenor/trumpet frontline that recalls Blakey's Jazz Messengers with a hard-swinging, but ultimately less in-your-face approach; "FCA" alternates between a straight-time, medium-tempo lope and more ambitious double-time passages. "The Norman D Invasion" uses a boppish head to trigger freer improvisations; Lawton, in his liner notes, refers to the term "free" in jazz as being ..."much abused and misunderstood..." The free improvisations he refers to are not totally out of the ether; they are rooted in established ..."melodic, rhythmic or even textural motifs..." The result is free music with a sense of purpose.

This would all be academic stuff if Lawton weren't the pianist that he is. Quirky at times, but with the sense of abstraction that Hancock made so attractive during his time with Miles; he is an inventive soloist with a vivid imagination. On "Celestial Prism," in duet with drummer Jim Miller, who is as much about colour and texture as he is about rhythm, Lawton reveals his roots in contemporary classical music as he creates a tone poem that may be essentially spontaneous, but ultimately tells a compelling story.

The rest of the album is filled with clever themes that are developed by the rich playing of everyone involved. Trumpeter John Swana is a standout with a smoky tone and penchant for extended phrasing. Saxophonist Ben Schachter leans towards alternating blustery long tones with oblique phrases that build into flurries of notes.

Retrospective/Debut is an appropriate title, as it represents a look back on Lawton's twenty-five year career. A diverse affair that mixes post bop with free jazz that leans to the expressionistic, it is also an overdue introduction to Lawton, and highlights a group of fine Philadelphia players who are every bit as vital and independent-thinking as their counterparts in more considered jazz centres.

Track Listing

Disc 1: Dig the Chartreuse; FCA; Grey Doesn't Matter; Waxing Schachterian; Donna Lee; Chrysocolla; Celestial Prism; The Norman D Invasion
Disc 2: Placebo Effect; Titled; Juju; Cameo; Delusions of Adequacy; Island; Archtypal Archives

Personnel

Tom Lawton (piano), Ben Schachter (saxophones), John Swana (trumpet), Lee Smith (bass), Jim Miller (drum), Norman David (clarinet)

Album information

Title: Retrospective/Debut | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Dreambox Media

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.