Jazztrail

Someday – Space, elegance and heartiness are all at the forefront

The stupendous sound of American pianist Marc Copland is only matched by his immense creativity and originality. For this quartet session, recorded for his own label, the pianist teams up with bassist Drew Gress, a longtime partner in many musical voyages, and two new additions: Belgian-American saxophonist Robin Verheyen and Californian drummer Mark Ferber. They are not only perfectly integrated with Copland’s playing but also bring their own musical personalities to the setting. Someday is comprised of five original compositions (three by Copland and two by Verheyen) and three jazz standards rendered with the group’s lovely approach to traditional jazz.

Velvety coated, “Someday My Prince Will Come” starts the proceedings with a positively restrained waltzing breath and a disarming relaxation that reflects the quartet’s posture. It’s followed by Copland’s “Spinning Things”, a serious post-bop inflection specifically written for this group. Verheyen shines in a tenor improvisation marked by logical fragmentation, smart intervallic choices, and fluid runs. He ends up exchanging ideas with Copland during the final section.

The saxophonist brings two pieces of his own creation to the program: “Dukish”, a ballad that nods to Duke Ellington with lithe beauty and sincerity, and “Encore”, whose dusky chamber tones are stirred by Ferber’s protruding brush playing. Yet, the most beautiful piece is Copland’s “Round She Goes”, a previously recorded piece (first appeared on a duo recording with Greg Osby) expressed with modal brilliancy. Gress proves he’s in top form; Verheyen takes us above the sky with an impressive soprano statement; and Ferber radiates good vibes in a vamping sequence in the wake of the reintegrated theme.

Copland included one piece each by Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis, namely “Let’s Cool One” and “Nardis”, respectively. The former swings along in a comfortable environment, whereas the latter concludes the album with cyclic 32-bars of sophisticated musicality.

The whole CD, from top to bottom, has Copland and his band inspired to the hilt. Space, elegance and heartiness are all at the forefront.

 

Oct 1 2024

Dreaming

Originally an alto saxophonist, Marc copland found his calling as a pianist and bandleader and, after recording for several different labels, he founded innerVoice Jazz a few years ago. He features the same quartet on his new album Dreaming as on the prior release Someday (2022), with robin Verheyen (soprano, ...
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Mar 23 2023

SE QUALCUNO VI CHIEDE CHE COSA SIA IL JAZZ, RISPONDETE PURE: «SOMEDAY» DI MARC COPLAND QUARTET!

Si potrebbe dire che Marc Copland sia un artista dalla doppia vita. Partito come sassofonista con ottime collaborazioni in qualità di sideman, tra cui Chico Hamilton, Cameron Brown e Jeff Williams e John Abercrombie. Insoddisfatto dei limiti armonici del suo strumento, a metà degli ’70 anni, il giovane Copland lascia ...
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Feb 27 2023

“One of today’s great pianists….Fresh, powerful, sensitive: this is without doubt one of the best quartet recordings in recent memory.”

Marc Copland, at 74 years old, has nothing more to prove. He’s played with the greatest, recorded superb discs and is recognized as one of today’s great pianists. He can play music free of any constraints, and choose his preferred partners. His old friend Drew Gress is on bass here, ...
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Feb 9 2023

“A dream musical partnership, and as always with Marc Copland: exciting!” Jazz Thing

Next stop for the restless adventurer Marc Copland: after his interlude with violinist Mark Feldman, the pianist is back with saxophonists, with whom he has a soulmate-like connection--because that was his original instrument. The first was the Frenchman Jean-Charles Richard (L'etoffe des Reves, La Buisonne) and now it’s the Belgian ...
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Dec 9 2022

Music is magic in this group’s hands, and Marc Copland is the master magician – AllaboutJazz

Marc Copland is a former saxophonist who found his instrument artistically confining for the purposes of expressing his vision. So he called on his childhood piano training (synaptic memories intact) to make the switch to the keyboard. The results have been magic. His artistry with the 88s is second only ...
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Dec 1 2022

Interview The New York City Jazz Record

Marc Copland has been creating vital music for more than 40 years and the pianist is arguably at the very top of his game. He is most well known for his long associations with bassist Gary Peacock and guitarist John Abercrombie, issuing several game-changing albums on ECM. Copland is a ...
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