Live At The Museum
Outside In Music, 2022
8/10
Recorded in 2019 at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, the pianist/composer Mathis Picard brings us his sophomore outing, and it’s a solo piano effort that touches on jazz, classical and electronic sounds.
“The Creation Of The World” opens the listen witih Picard’s quivering keys that are both intimate and exploratory in his captivating performance, and “Cuttin’ Out” follows with the keys dancing amid a meticulous and charming display.
Further on, “Snake Song” emits much melody as a mesmerizing climate unfolds with a bit of mysteriousness, while “Le Gibet” glides with a soft and sublime quality that is quite pretty.
Moving towards the end, “Clouds” offers a playful and emotive highlight that illustrates very skilled progressions, and “Woodland Fantasy” exits the listen with Savannah Harris on drums for the swift and dynamic exploration into a very creative mind.
A very absorbing performance that honors artists like John Lewis, John Williams and Bix Beiderbecke, among others, there’s also several originals, and Picard certainly illustrates how versatile he is with both serene and firm bouts of unparalleled piano playing.
Travels well with: Cecil Taylor- The Complete, Legendary, Live Return Concert; Shedrick Mitchell- What Do You Say?