Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Manhattan New Music Project: Jazz Cycles (The Music of Paul Nash)

Manhattan New Music Project: Jazz Cycles (The Music of Paul Nash)

By John Barron
September 9, 2007
Sign in to view read count

Manhattan New Music Project: Jazz Cycles (The Music of Paul Nash)

In 2005, visionary composer/guitarist Paul Nash lost his battle with brain cancer. Some six weeks prior to his passing, Nash was able to complete production on Jazz Cycles, a suite orchestrated for his ensemble, Manhattan New Music Project (MNMP). The resulting disc is chock-full of intricate writing, spontaneous group interplay and staggering solos. Stylistically, Nash's music runs the gamut of contemporary jazz; from free-form, to post-bop to funk.

The ensemble work throughout the disc's fifteen tracks is stunning. In the tradition of Gil Evans and Charles Mingus, Nash's thoughtfully arranged compositions garner strength from the individual personalities of some of the finest musicians performing in jazz today. The camaraderie for each other and for the spirit of their fallen leader can be heard from the opening theme and variations of "Passaglia to the immense waves of rhythmic gust on the closing "Epilogue.

Each member of the MNMP is given ample solo space. Trumpeter Shane Endsley blows with conviction on "Outside In, alto and soprano saxophonist Bruce Williamson soars elegantly on "Ballad for T, tenor saxophonist Tim Ries explores an aggressive edge on "Desire, pianist Jim Ridl exercises immense patience on "Wind Over the Lake, bassist Jay Anderson maintains a lyrical intensity on "Interlude 1 and "Interlude 3, guitarist Vic Juris burns through "Tamalpais Night and drummer Grisha Alexiev brings vibrant closure to "It's Only a Dream.

The unwavering dedication of the members of MNMP to the legacy of Nash and his incomparable work is heard in bursts of joyous conviction, anguish and urgency. Jazz Cycles, amazingly recorded in a single six-hour session, is an adventure in risk taking. Nash left a bright light shining on the music world.

Track Listing

Passaglia; Night Flight; Desire; Wind Over the Lake; Interlude 1; Strange Rife; Outside In; Ballad for T; Interlude 2; Interlude 3; It

Personnel

Manhattan New Music Project

band / ensemble / orchestra

Shane Endsley: trumpet; Bruce Williamson: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone; Tim Ries: tenor saxophone; Vic Juris: guitar; Jay Anderson: bass; Grisha Alexiev: drums; Jim Ridl: piano.

Album information

Title: Jazz Cycles (The Music of Paul Nash) | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: MNMP Records

< Previous
Live at Cafe Monmartre 1966

Next >
Caramoor Jazz Festival 2007

Comments

About Manhattan New Music Project

Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra

Tags

For the Love of Jazz

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.