Great jazz crosses cultural boundaries….
McCullough, Spasovski, Tufekcievski, Filipovski – Transverse – Calligram Records #0021 – CD – 62:38 – ****1/2
On one of his musical adventures in Europe, Chicago based trumpet stalwart, Chad McCullough had the opportunity to meet local jazz musicians in a small cafe in Skopje, Macedonia. As so often happens when kindred spirits meet with a love of jazz influences in common, they struck up a friendship that has continued for six years. Last October, Chad brought the trio over to the Windy City for a recording session, now memorialized in their quartet CD, Transverse.
Upon listening to their marvelous CD, you would have thought that they had been together for years. The blend of Macedonian folk themes, with post bop American jazz, is seamless. There is a warm mix of an introspective jazz, with Eastern European melodies, led by McCullough’s burnished trumpet and flugelhorn, reaching upper register heights. His Macedonian mates each have their strengths, whether it be the crystalline piano of Gordan Spasovski, the muscular bass of Liril Tufekcievski, or the range (including hand drumming) of drummer, Viktor Filipovski.
The eight tracks, four written by McCullough, two from Gordan, one from Kiril, and the opening track re-arranged from a traditional Macedonian folk song, all lead to a melange of cross cultural influences that both have a calming effect, yet reinvigorating upon repeated listening. Chad often takes lead, but the trio is fully involved, with generous contributions from all.
“Lake Ohrid Lament,” the opener sets a somber, plaintive mood with an insistent vibe that whets the appetite for what’s to come. “Failing Tide,” is next, and as tides do, there are mood shifts, some provided by Gordan’s piano lines, while Chad’s flugelhorn enters the higher musical range, and Viktor Filipovski’s use of mallets, brushes, and hand work, enlivens the track.
“Across the Deep” is grounded in American based jazz motifs with Gordan’s piano prowess on full display backing McCullough. “For Leni,” written by Kiril Tufekcievski, for his young (obviously rambunctious) daughter, begins mainstream, before entering very “free territory” led by Chad’s exploratory trumpet runs. Kiril’s woody bass is quite prominent, and very well recorded.
“The Forlorn Tale of Tomorrow,” written by Chad is the featured composition on this CD, at thirteen and a half minutes. Done in a suite like manner, each quartet member gets ample time. Gordan’s piano work here brings to mind some of Keith Jarrett’s chamber jazz ( a strong compliment), while McCullough’s sublime timbre, that I love so much, is ever present, leading to an impassioned plea, especially in the last section. Such deep emotion here…
“Manu Casas” (Latin for “By Chance”), composed by Spasovski, indirectly celebrates both Chad’s and Gordan’s birthdays, with each of them given musical B-Days honors here. “Twist” has drummer, Filipovski providing Chad’s flugelhorn with a hand drum type platform, to soar. The last track, “Real and Unreal” gives a warm cross cultural jazz hug finish led by some sublime bass work.
The quartet will bring their show on the road this summer to Macedonia to share their talents with a “home” audience. Lots to love from this group, no matter where you lay your head…
—Jeff Krow
Transverse
Perfomring Artists:
Chad McCullough- trumpet and flugelhorn;
Gordan Spasovski – piano;
Kiril Tufekcievski – bass;
Viktor Filipovski – drums)Tracklist:
Tracklist:
Lake Ohrid Lament,
Falling Tide,
Across the Deep,
For Leni,
The Forlorn Tale of Tomorrow,
Manu Casas,
Twist,
Real and Unreal
