Pianist Jean-Michel Pilc is captured in two settings here. One as a leader of his own trio, and the other as a loyal sideman. Both reveal the impressionist charms of this underrated master.
Recorded in Montreal, Quebec, when Canada was still a relatively free country, the team of pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, bassist Remi-Jean LeBlanc and drummer Jim Doxas get together in June of 2021 for a stretched out gig of standards and originals. Pilc taps into his inner McCoy Tyner for an edgy and dark “Alive” that features LeBlanc in the opening intro, while the pianist’s “11 Sharp” is introduced with an introspective quietude that eventually veers into playful territory. There’s tons of clever introspection as well on the read of “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise” that evolves into an extroverted romp focused around Doxas’ drums, while Pilc’s fingers flow around the brushes for a ride in dynamics on “All Blues”. All of the songs range from 10-12 minutes, allowing for solos, duets and three part interplay. Conversant jams.
Pianist Jean-Michel Pilc is part of the swinging rhythm section for warm toned tenor saxist Xose Miguelez on this bopping mix of originals and jazz standards. Miguelez’s sax is reminiscent of vintage tones from Hank Mobley or Charlie Rouse, full bodied and breathy. He grooves over the pulse of bassist Carlos Barretto on “Minina” and hops around drummer Marcos Cavalereiro for the crisp read of “Out Of Nowhere”. Pilc gives a luscious solo intro to “Body and Soul” and teams up with the leader for a fun and p layful duet “Someday My Monk Will Come” and pleading “Ontology” while sighing a lead in to the mellow soul of “Galicia”. Miguelez is a rich fog of sound over Cavaleiro’s Latin pace for the title piece and darkly rasping on “You and the Night and the Music”. Is this band on tour?