30 Jun
Courage In Closeness by David Zoffer & Adam Larrabee
- Written by Mark Keresman
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Courage In Closeness: an album of six strings and 88 keys - an opportunity for low-volume, swinging intimacy or immaculately "tasteful" boredom? In this case, happily, it’s the former. These two New England based jazzpersons aren’t hip/happening NYC names but don’t let that stop you - both play with warmth, élan and imagination up the wazoo. Pianist Zoffer plays in a spare, lyrical vein a la Bill Evans, but with strong influences of Paul Bley (brevity, sense of space) and Gene Harris (old-old-school funkiness), and guitarist Larrabee’s clean single-note runs are in the Jill Hall lineage with a subtle tinge of Bill Frisell’s gentle burred/blur sound. [Note: subtle - unlike some younger players, he doesn’t swallow the Frisell sound whole - he takes his own time to digest it.] And they don’t take the "easy way" out, either - there’s no done-to-death standards/chestnuts to be found here. Instead, they walk the high-wire act with a set of originals (mostly ballads), shooting for a balance of inspired amiability and cerebral intimacy. They get it, too.
Additional Info
- Artist / Group Name: David Zoffer & Adam Larrabee
- CD Title: Courage In Closeness
- Genre: Contemporary Jazz / Modern
- Year Released: 2002
- Record Label: Zofco
- Musicians: David Zoffer: piano; Adam Larrabee: electric guitar.
- Label Website: http://www.davidzoffer.com
- Rating: Three Stars
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
