Whirlwind: Live At Sam First
Emerald City, 2020
8/10
Listen to Whirlwind: Live At Same First
Although it’s been 12 years since Max Haymer has released an album, the pianist and composer has stayed quite busy playing with Arturo Sandoval’s band, as well as accompanying Jane Monheit and spearheading his own trio, too. Here with David Robaire on bass and Dan Schnelle behind the drum kit, the trio offer 6 originals and 3 standards on the aptly titled Whirlwind: Live At Sam First.
“So In Love” starts the album indeed on a romantic note as playful percussion complements Haymer’s key acrobatics that weave in and out of warm melodies, and “Whirlwind” follows with a calmer pace of precise and restrained musicianship that’s both timeless and stirring.
Close to the middle, “Speak Low” radiates cautious beauty that gets quite frisky further into its 9 minutes, while “Welcoming” benefits much from the sparse but effective percussion on the reflective album highlight.
Near the end, the longest track, “Passed Time”, displays Haymer’s unparalleled skill in both bare moments as well as swells of busier jazz sounds, and “Love For Sale” exits the listen with plenty of help from bass as the scene turns ultra swift in a dizzying execution of calculated precision.
A record that is executed so seamlessly you’ll actually forget it’s live until you hear the audience clapping, Haymer and company deliver the perfect album for those who miss live music (this was recorded before the pandemic), where passion, some tension and a whole lot power enter the modern and traditional jazz sensibilities.
Travels well with: The Peter Leitch New Life Orchestra- New Life; Kenny Washington- What’s The Hurry