Cherished Possessions
Self-Released, 2022
9/10
Listen to Cherished Possessions
A jazz pianist from Ottawa, Steve Boudreau follows up his five-volume solo piano home project with this trio affair, where Adrian Vedady (Montréal Jazz Trio) and Jim Doxas (The Doxas Brothers) accompany him across mostly originals.
The title track leads the listen with much grace, as the keys, drums and bass interact with much beauty in a radiant jazz climate, and “Words Of Hope” continues the mature instrumentation with a dreamy, introspective and poetic album highlight that really showcases Vedady’s bass skills.
“Encumbered” occupies the middle spot and puts the focus on Boudreau’s dizzying key acrobatics, while “Go”, a Wayne Shorter tune, is a bit frisky, and pays much attention to mood amid the dynamic interaction between the three.
Near to the end, the swift and melodic “Rolling Oil” glides with a very smooth delivery, and “Charlie’s Family Reunion” exits the listen with strategic bass plucking, crisp drumming and acrobatic piano playing that you won’t soon forget.
Amazingly, Vedady and Doxas contributed their portions in a single afternoon, and it gives the album a spontaneous feel, as if you’re at a live show. Though this is Boudreau’s first trio setting of primarily originals, let’s hope it isn’t his last, especially with this line up, cause it yields some excellent modern jazz.
Travels well with: Doxas Brothers- The Circle; Montréal Jazz Trio- Montréal Jazz Trio