Sunday Music Muse Day - Vijay Iyer, Astor Piazzolla

With cool feel of fall in the air, this Sunday Music Muse Day has me sampling more eclectic offings.  First up, Vijay Iyer Tragicomic.  This young innovative jazz pianist is consider a genus on many levels by noted jazz critics.  His music can be challenging to listen to with his exploration of odd meters and complex harmonic concepts.  My wife enjoys most of my musical selections, and tolerates others, but a few get a "I'm not feeling this" as this CD did.  I'm leaning in agreement with her, but I'll keep giving it more listenings.

Next in my eclectic exploration is Astor Piazzolla Tango Zero Hour. I love the sound of the bandoneon, but I readily admit I have only a passing understanding tango music, and that's mainly from artists like Chick Corea and Al DiMeola who incorporate it in their music throughout their careers.  Before that, mostly old movies, often for comic effect.  Tango creates images of Old World charm that's as romantic as it's reputation.  This CD is well worth visiting. (The silver foil cover was impossible to scan)

Fall is in the air, not to rush it, but can winter be far behind.  Leaves are start to fall, so I suggest gathering musical chestnuts for the coming seasons.  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Keith Jarrett, Vijay Iyer Trio

Today's Sunday Music Muse Day finds me spending time with two piano trios.  Keith Jarrett At the Deer Head Inn, with Gary Peacock on bass, and Paul Motian on drums. Not much you can say but that it's the top notch playing you'd expect from this these well-known players. It's a live recording, made in September, 16, 1992. Jarrett relates in the liner notes that Deer Head Inn, in Allentown, PA. was where he had his "first serious trio job on piano" thirty years early, and also a reunion playing with Paul Motian, who he hadn't play with for 16 years.  It goes to show that sometimes there a lot more behind a gig then just the music.

My next selection is Vijay Iyer Trio Accelerando, with Stephen Crump on bass, and Marcus Gilmore on drums.  This 2012  release by the young pianist was named jazz album of the year in 3 jazz critics polls.  Besides the 2013 MacArthur Fellowship Iyer has won a ton award and honors. His music is adventurous, engaging, and challenging for the listener.  Iyer states,"this ablum is in the lineage of American creative music based on dance rhythms."  I was draw to last tune on this CD, The Village of the Virgins" written by Duke Ellington for his ballet "The River".  I had saved version to my youtube music collection.  I'm glad to have the full CD.

Yesterday's morning snow melted quickly, hope it's the last of the season.  Everyone hoping for day of sunshine and good music.  So do I.  Enjoy.