Dylan Jack Quartet

Eine Quartett Des Grauens

Creative Nation, 2023

8/10

Listen to Eine Quartett Des Gravens

The drummer Dylan Jack is joined by Jerry Sabatini, Eric Hofbauer and Tony Leva for these 4 improvised tunes that serve as a spontaneously composed soundtrack to F.W. Murnau’s 1922 film, Nosferatu.

“to the Land of Thieves and Phantoms” opens the listen with Sabatini’s warm brass amid Jack’s agile drumming, where plenty of adventurousness unfolds in the careful delivery, and “…Such Beautiful Flowers” follows with much ambience that unfolds with Hofabuer’s chilling electronics adding a hint of mystery.

On the back half, “the Strangler” uses Leva’s strategic bass amid the frisky drumming and rich horn bouts, while “of Caves, Tombs, and Coffins” exits with a strong attention to mood and tone, where the ambient electronics suit the subdued, free jazz exploration.

An EP that uses atypical odd meters and phrasing via the distinct rhythmic ideas, Jack and company make for detailed spontaneity you can’t not be impressed by.

Travels well with: Joel Goodman- An Exquisite Moment; Andrew Danforth- Homegrown