Climbing To Sleep
Driff, 2025
9/10
The composer Julia Werntz, pianist Eric Moe and the Pandelis Karayorgis Trio come together for these 3 detailed pieces that emit countless jazz ideas.
“Capricious Nocturnal Variations and Variations” opens with Karayorgis’ strategic keys creating ambience amid Randy Peterson’s atypical drums and Moe’s well timed microtonal keyboard. Deeper into the movements, Nate McBridge’s unpredictable bass plucking enters alongside the strong attention to space.
In the middle, “Working with the Scale” blends microtonal scale, keyboard and standard piano into 5 pieces of creative and exciting improvisation that balances busy bouts with gentle moments.
“Coda” exits and focuses on standard piano, as the adventurous rhythm section surround the key acrobatics with much energy, unconventional grooves and no lack of imagination.
The microtonal aspect of this effort is quite intriguing, and the avant-garde, free jazz and spontaneous mood only heightens the intrigue of this really atypical listening experience.
Travels well with: Julia Werntz- Someone Who Loves You Throws Me At You; Eric Moe- Strenuous Pleasures