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Marie-Fatima Rudolf Trio: Transparence
ByThe collection of tunes on Transparence is a mixture of original compositions by Rudolf and bassist Martin Heslop, and several clever and fresh interpretations of the jazz standards "Moon and Sand," "My Funny Valentine" and Cole Porter's "So in Love." One of the compositional highlights of the record is the title track, which was composed and arranged by Rudolf. It features a slow funk-based groove that brings to light the trio's heightened sense of group dynamic, something that has been developed by many nights spent together on Montreal bandstands. The tune begins with a memorable, vocal-like melody line that leads into a strong solo by Rudolf, showcasing her ability to draw from the tune's main melody as inspiration for her improvisations. By keeping the melody line alive during the solo, Rudolf blurs the lines between the head and the blowing, providing a sense of composition and improvisation throughout the pieceand the rest of the album, for that matter.
Whether it is interpreting the melody of a classic standard, laying down a modal, chord-based intro, or flying through complex improvised single-lines, Rudolf is at her best on every track. Her strong harmonic sense and ability to weave melodic based ideas through her lines brings a sense of maturity to her playing; something that one would not expect from such a young player.
The rhythm section of Heslop and drummer Eric Thibodeau is also stellar, as they provide several memorable moments as both compers and soloists. This includes Heslop's carefully crafted improvisation on "My Funny Valentine," which features a powerful interaction between all three members of the ensemble.
Transparence is a strong debut release by Rudolf. The compositions are well-thought-out, the ensemble is tight on every track, and the improvisations are thought-provoking and highly creative. With a debut like this, the sky's the limit for the Montreal pianist and her trio.
Track Listing
Moon and Sand; Transparence; My Funny Valentine; Run to the Hills; Separation; So in Love; Rock Ballad.
Personnel
Marie-Fatima Rudolf
pianoMarie-Fatima Rudolf: piano; Martin Heslop: bass; Eric Thibodeau: drums.
Album information
Title: Transparence | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Self Produced
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About Marie-Fatima Rudolf
Instrument: Piano
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