Two recent albums by pianist/composer Michael Jefry Stevens shows the range of not only himself, but of the art of jazz.
A 2018 concert at Middle Tennessee State University has tenor saxist Don Aliquo joined with Michael Jefry Stevens for nine jazz sonatas. The two go back and forth in the spotlight like rich conversationalists, with Aliquo at time serving as backing support as on “Parallel Lines” while they join arms on the danceable “Criss Cross”. Aliquo’s sound is confident, supple on “the deep “Prelude To A Kiss” and bopping on “On Again, Off Again”. Stevens is in a Bill Evans mood on the lyrical title track and clever on the tricky “Tina’s Little Song”. Rich duets.
Composer and pianist Michael Jefry Stevens gets ambitious with a wide ranging album that includes strings, reeds and various rhythms in this creative release. Upbeat vibes supplied by Jason DeCristofaro make up “Song of the Cardinal” with a yearning violin solo by Christian Howes teaming with the string section of Candace English, Anya Yarbrough and Brigid Hopkins flowing with Bill Fouty’s bass on the flowing “ What A Dance.” Pretty woodwinds and Asian harmonies team up on “Borderline” and you even get a lecture by Katie Cilluffo to a military beat by drummer Bill Berg on “Trump (Dire Warning #1)”, which makes one wonder why nothing was mentioned when the previous president used the IRS to harass news reporters.
Pretty as all get out is the mix of pizzicato strings and woodwinds on “Sad” and the leader himself featured on the pastoral “The Myth of Chaos.” Lovely brush strokes with watercolors.