Balancing Act
Bemuse, 2024
8/10
The exceptional pianist Zachary Bartholomew is joined by Marty Quinn, Rodolfo Zuniga, David Fernandez and Benny Benack III for this debut of all originals.
The lively and rich “Crazy Socks” opens the listen with Fernandez’s glowing sax amid Bartholomew’s agile keys, and “Sunny Days Driven By” follows with swirling keys and Zuniga’s flowing drums that help create much warmth.
Halfway through, the title track benefits much from Quinn’s meticulous bass lines amid the dense keys, while “There And Back Again” carries a mesmerizing tone via the swift piano and frisky rhythm section.
Landing close to the end, “Mirror Image” allows for the bright sax to guide the timeless jazz melodies, and “Midnight Nefarity” exits with both busy and calm gestures that radiate much precision and coziness.
An eclectic listen that touches on post-bop as well as melancholy, Benack’s strategic trumpet is much appreciated across an outstanding and innovative debut.
Travels well with: Tony Romano- Three Chord Monte; Terry Waldo- Treasury: Volume 1