Marc Copland - Crosstalk (2011)

Marc Copland: a musician who plays with authoritative grandeur andenormous flexibility. And now here is a quartet stocked with surprises. Here Copland plays together with alto saxophonist Greg Osby (born 1960), bassist Doug Weiss (born 1965), and drummer Victor Lewis (born 1950).
They call their collaborative CD Crosstalk—and it contains pieces loaded with intensive brilliance and self-composed clarity.
Copland and Greg Osby have known each other for quite some time. They played together in the 90’s, recorded two noteworthy duo CDs in 2003 and 2004, and have often performed together since then. In August of last year Copland played in Greg Osby’s group for several days at New York’s most famous jazz club, the Village Vanguard, during which Osby celebrated his 50th birthday.
Whoever has heard them play together knows that Osby and Copland are kindred souls. Both love and treasure harmonic and formalistic challenges, and both have a similar sound concept. Their playing is crystal-clear, yet the sharp contours are always connected by unusual musical progressions. Osby’s subtle lines run in the opposite directionof any and every clichй. And Copland’s harmonics live from unexpectedly iridescent cross-references.
The renewed collaboration of these two musicians is an auspicious event. And added to this combination are the two other partners in this quartet, both likewise outstanding figures on their instruments. Lewis is a great artist when it comes to a strong rhythmic presence tastefully applied—always fully aware and always with a fine ear for the others’ play. And Weiss combines forceful dependability with breathtaking dexterity—someone who keeps everything together and tight, and still always has room for short, exciting flights of fancy. Victor Lewis has played with such greats as Woody Shaw and Stan Getz. Doug Weiss has accompanied Lee Konitz, Steve Kuhn, and singer Lizz Wright.
Both Weiss and Lewis have already played together with Copland. This quartet is one of the international jazz attractions of the year; this is even more clear after listening to this CD

Tracklist:

01 Talkin' Blues
02 Diary of the Same Dream
03 Ozz-thetic
04 Tenderly
05 Crosstalk
06 Slow Hand
07 Hey, It's Me You're Talkin' to
08 Three Four Civility
09 Minority

Personnel:

Marc Copland piano
Greg Osby alto saxophone
Doug Weiss bass
Victor Lewis drums