François Houle Genera Sextet

Collating the talents of a six international improvisers, Canadian clarinetist François Houle has composed a heartfelt canticle to and celebration of the life of Ken Pickering (1952-2018), long-time artistic director of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Pickering’s knack for organizing ensembles of Canadian and foreign improvisers is reflected in the sextet’s make up, which includes two other Canadians now New York residents: drummer Harris Eisenstadt and bassist Michael Bates; two Swiss players: trombonist Samuel Blaser and cornetist/trumpeter Marco von Orelli; and French pianist Benoît Delbecq, all of whom have some playing history with one another.

Although introduced by a brief requiem and with a sombre piano-contrapuntal horn interlude at mid-point, most performances nonetheless reflect rhythmic and compositional sophistication and harmonized projections. A track such as “Scarlet” for instance is not only celebratory, but more Hi Life than Death focused with kalimba-like plinks, matched with undulating tailgate trombone slurs and woody clarinet tongue stops. Confirming the band members’ versatility, most of the other tracks maintain equivalence between the two emotions. Bates’ guitar-like facility is often expressed as is his stentorian pulse, while Delbecq’s equal skill at expressing intense Blues notes and staccato key clipping is also featured. Eisenstadt’s beat can be as heavy or light-toned as needed, and some pieces evolve with alternating full band and individual expressions.

Based around stop-time rhythms “Deep River” is an instance of this. Blaser’s plunger slurs and von Orelli’s strained half-valve efforts are sometimes doubled with piano comping and drum pumps maintain the flow so that by the triumphant brassy ending subtlety and swing are both expressed. Vibrated double tonguing or the creation of compelling beauty with atom-sized reed bites make up part of Houle’s clarion elaborations, sometime cushioned by horn riffs. Furthermore, despite its title, “Requiem for KP” displays the clarinetist’s writing and the band’s dual interpretations at full tilt. Following a moderato introduction in brassy threnody form, sparking piano notes and bent horn notes bring in a snappy feel to the rest of the composition. Notable here are the trumpeter’s soaring triplets, the clarinetist’s liquid glissandi and how Houle’s mellow tone is intensified with Blaser’s plunger spills to reach a serene ending. Fine music and a fine memorial to a deserving music proponent.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Stand By 2. Requiem for KP 3. Ekphrasis 4. This Tune… 5. Gish Gallop 6. Scarlet 7. Song L 8. Deep River 9. Chorale

Personnel: Marco von Orelli (cornet annd trumpet); Samuel Blaser (trombone); François Houle (clarinet); Benoît Delbecq (piano); Michael Bates (bass) and Harris Eisenstadt (drums)