For most of his career, pianist Tigran Hamasyan has used traditional Armenian fold music as a base for his musical catalogue in both jazz and progressive rock. This time around, he dives deep into the book of American Standards, using solo, trio and guest formats as a means of exploration.
His trio of Matt Brewer/b and Justin Brown/dr give a complex and angular approach to the bopping “De-Dah” while Hamasyan’s fingers float over Brown’s brushes on the romantic “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was”. Hamasyan creates a wonderful dance feel to “When A Woman Loves a Man” , and gives a sonata read to “Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise”.
Tenor saxist Mark Turner joins in with the leader for a misty and glowing duet of “All The Things You Are” that sighs and glistens. Joshua Redman is a man on fire with the trio on a searing “Big Foot” while deft toned trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire gasps and swoons out “I Should Care” and goes abstract around Brown’s busy sticks on “Invasion During A Operetta”. If this guy tours in any of these settings, don’t miss out.