Sam Kirmayer – High And Low – CellarLive

by | Oct 29, 2018 | Jazz CD Reviews | 0 comments

Sam Kirmayer – High And Low – CellarLive CL020118 54:30 ***1/2:

( Sam Kirmayer – guitar; Ben Paterson – Hammond B3 organ; Dave Laing – drums)

Sam Kirmayer is a young Montreal based guitarist who earlier this year won the Julian Award for Excellence for Emerging Canadian Artists. In 2017 Kirmayer recorded his self produced debut disc Opening Statement, and now follows that up with this CellarLive album heading up an organ trio.

In this offering there is a sprinkling of original compositions by Kirmayer, with the remainder of the tracks popular standards all of which fit exceedingly well in this trio format. The title track “High And Low” opens the proceedings with a waltzing lilt that shows Kirmayer’s harmonic style in single note clarity. Paterson is an organist who shows command of every part of his instrument and avoids the excesses.

Portrait, Sam Kirmayer

Sam Kirmayer,
by Evan Shay

“Nancy (With The Laughing Face)” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Phil Silvers and made popular by Frank Sinatra in 1944. Kirmayer and the group give the number a smooth version that is distinct and definitive with the required warmth and a sense of swing. Organist Paterson delves into some block chord riffs that are reminiscent of organist Milt Buckner.

Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner were the driving force behind the 1965 Broadway musical On A Clear Day You Can See Forever and the resulting title number. Kirmayer and the band take the tune into a swinging groove that showcases the leader’s clear-eyed quick-fingered single note style that darts over the fretboard. Laird’s snappy drumming keep’s Paterson’s organ humming along with some inventive playing.

Another chestnut is the Harold Arlen/Ted Koehler work“Ill Wind”. The band has taken the tune in an unusual 5/4 time signature that shows an skilful grasp of what it takes to please and audience. This thematic structure gives the players a chance to demonstrate their musical flexibility and intrepid way of looking at things.

The session closes with a Coleman Hawkins composition “Almost Dawn” which can be found on Hawkin’s 1960 album The Hawk Swings. It has that theatrical funky tempo that fits perfectly with the organ trio concept and the group makes the most of it. Both Kirmayer and Paterson have inventive interplay that shape the number with both keyboard and fretboard excursions.

TrackList: High And Low; Farnsworth; Nancy (With The Laughing Face); On A Clear Day; What Could Have Been; Cazelais Oublié; Ill Wind; Recurrence; Almost Dawn

—Pierre Giroux

Link to more information and track samples from Cellar Live:

Logo CellarLive

 

 

Related Reviews
Logo Pure Pleasure
Logo Crystal Records Sidebar 300 ms
Logo Jazz Detective Deep Digs Animated 01