David Liebman

Marco Colonna
Offering
Niafunken NFK015 Setola de Maiale SM 4210

John Coltrane’s lasting influence on Jazz and saxophonists in particular is clearly demonstrated on these releases which interpret part of his recorded legacy in almost diametrically opposed fashions. Even though American soprano saxophonist Dave Liebman and Italian sopranino saxophonist/bass clarinetist Marco Colonna each play tunes from all phrases of Coltrane’s career the results are as dissimilar as bagels and biscotti.

Liebman, who is old enough to have seen Coltrane in person many times, early on was part of Elvin Jones’ band and has led his own groups for years. Expansion shapes the nine tracks into unique group forms by matching the horns of Liebman and Matt Vashlishan with Alex Ritz’s percussion, Bobby Avey’s keyboards and Tony Marino’s bass. With only one tune overlap, Offering singularly reimagining the melodies in a solo reed recital by Colonna, who often works with Roberto Ottaviano, improvising on two reeds never played by Coltrane,

To get an idea of the disc differences consider each treatment of “My Favorite Things”, the only tune in common on both discs and incidentally the longest track on each. Unexpectedly gentle piano tinkles begin the quintet version extending into slow paced chords until piano rumbles bring in Liebman playing the familiar head. Mid-range his variations evolve in double counterpoint with Vashlishan’s clarion twitters until the sequence is completed with the narrative as tender as the introduction. With ringing tongue flutters alternating with lowing scoops, Colonna’s bass clarinet version inverts the introduction so that the theme is presented in clarion form with a percussive undertow. Tranches of the familiar melody which arise at mid-point soon default to tongue slap and basso snarls before finally inflating to tart tightened trills as the finale.

The same sort of contrast defines each disc. Expansions is literally that, since additional players and unusual instrumentation recast the tunes initially done in smaller configurations. Besides cymbal sizzles and hardened bass plucks introducing some of the tunes as, synthesizer judders and multiple horn patterns recast the lines. “Compassion” beomes multiphonic and mellow simultaneously as wind synthesizer excursions meet Liebman’s soprano saxophone for sound challenges, whereas “Peace on Earth” is defined in a cerebral manner by Liebman’s wooden flute and gong-like cymbal resonations.

Most notable however are tracks such as “Olé” and “Selflessness” which are completely recast. Converting the vague Spanish inferences of the first into something entirely different is done via Ritz’s frame drum clatters, Vashlishan’s clarinet and Liebman’s eerie wooden flute peeping. Synthesizer continuum advances the track linearly so that curlicue reed arabesques can combine and add expressive modulation. More spacey than spiritual due to synthesizer washes and upwards soprano sweeps, “Selflessness” takes on a steady beat projected by keyboard pressure and a constant drum beat ending with melodic harmony.

Melodic and harmony are two words with little value when it comes to Offering. From the first selection and throughout the other six, Colonna makes it clear that he’s going to scurry among variable pitches, tempos and tones to reconstitute the themes, exposing sonic kernels hidden within. Elevated clarion clarinet tones unrolling at a lento pace on “Song of Praise” for example widen the interpretation so that detours to formalism and flattement provide a counter line to melodic beauty. There’s also a point on “Giant Steps” when unexpected post melody statement trills and tweets push the narrative to such high-pitched, but not scratchy tessitura that snatches of Italian opera arias seem to echo in the solo. Other compositions are made new with delicate redefinitions. Yet no matter how many held notes or emphasized tongue slides or scoops are released, as Colonna adds and subtracts tonal variations the basic themes are never unrecognizable.

There’s particular timbral prestidigitation that could be termed sleight-of-tones on “Offering”. Using bass clarinet variables Colonna moves through moderato expression all the way to altissimo trills. During these fluttering whorls and cries, while maintain the linear flow his expression references both bel canto operatic airs and “My Favorite Things” which he had already played at this live concert.

Without gimmicking up these salutes with deviates into Latin brass or Rock beats, Liebman and Colonna have created profound tributes to Coltrane, evolving the music without compromise as the late saxophonist did himself.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: Expansions: 1. Mr. Day 2. Compassion*~ 3. My Favorite Things 4. Olé#~ 5. Lazy Bird 6. Peace on Earth^ 7 .One Up One Down 8. Selflessness~ 9. Dear Lord~

Personnel: Expansions: Dave Liebman (soprano saxophone, wooden flute#); Matt Vashlishan (alto saxophone, flute^, clarinet#,wind synth*); Bobby Avey (piano, keyboard/synthesizer~); Tony Marino (bass); Alex Ritz (drums and frame drum#)

Track Listing: Offering: 1. Song of Praise 2. My Favorite Things 3. Ogunde 4. Giant Steps 5. Offering 6. Naima 7. Wise One

Personnel: Offering: Marco Colonna (sopranino saxophone and bass clarinet)