A collection of sounds and moods as majestic as the 49th State itself is presented in a tribute by pianist/composer Nelda Swiggett and her chamber jazz team of Julian Smedley/vi, Clif Swiggett/tb-bongos, Chris Symer/b and Adam Kessler/dr. The (sometimes literally) poetic music gives moods reflecting various moods and stories of Alaska, with the individual pieces holding up strongly on their own, with the titles giving direction to the subjects of “beauty, loss and hope”. The pianist’s own touch is warm and rich, gently opening on the pastoral “Alaska” before leading into rich solos by Symer and Smedley supported by the river like pulsations of the rhythm team. Clif Swiggett’s trombone graces the darker themed “Melting” after some pizzicato’d strings teamed with moody cymbal work, while the team shows assertiveness on the assertive “Burning” with Symer’s bass line bopping with the trombone and violin before the drums rumble and congas close out like a receding mist. Tribal and thunderous tom toms lead into a funky “Homeless” with some yearning trombone riding up and down the relentless theme.
There’s also a bit of free improv between bass and drum on the Mingusy “Havoc” while a John Muir-ish poem is recited by the leader following her reflective piano on a rich narrative of “Worry” that speaks of a desire to return to an Edenic “what we were and can be”. The album closes on a hopeful direction with meditative strings and flowing violin riding the drums leading out on “Hope Springs Eternal” and the nimble trio work of “First Flight”. Musical portraits a la Ansel Adams and NC Wyeth.