Yuhan Su

Energized after a multi-month hiatus in Paris and her native Taiwan, vibraphonist Yuhan Su’s liberated gesture took the form of organizing this New York-based quintet to perform new music she had composed during the preceding two years. Based around ever-ambulating swing, the pieces include a three-part suite, expressive portraits of her artistic inspirations and restrained instrumental variations on a female-affirming poem, written by Su, but voiced in English by alto saxophonist Caroline Davis.

Davis is one of the young veterans in the group, most of whom work in each other’s bands. Besides her straight-ahead story-telling, twittering affirmations and sliding reed variations, the tunes are interpreted by pianist Matt Mitchell, whose contributions range from measured formalism to expressive patterning; bassist Marty Kenney whose pulse punctuates the rhythmic flow plus adding a slinky electric bass line to mate with drummer Dan Weiss’ backbeat on “Hassan’s Fashion Magazine”, the disc’s spangly concluding romp. As for Su, she favors bright, minimalist style with touches of (Milt) Jackson-like swing.

Weiss’ rhythms are more deliberate on other tracks, propelling press rolls and power pops that carefully move along the program. He’s particularly effective on “Siren Days” where interacting with Mitchell’s descending runs he provides ballast for the tandem exposition of Su’s affirmative metal echoes and widening reed slurs and trills from Davis.

That sort of pairing is present on most of the disc as the vibraphonist’s sliding and sparkling emphasis is either replicated by Mitchell’s unforced comping or melded with the saxophone’s swells and slithers. Su’s three-part title track may introduce more balladic and measured impressionism to the program, but the cumulative group connection engendered is artfully reflected all over the disc.

If criticism could be directed towards the session, it’s that except for very brief dips into romanticism that balance bouncy fluidly expressed on most tracks, deeper emotions could have been expressed and emphasized. Still Su’s gift for composing and playing consistency, is aptly reflected by the other musicians. In that way, Liberated Gesture is an accomplished indication of contemporary group jazz.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Hi-Tech Pros and Cons* 2. Character * 3. Naked Swimmer 4. Didion* 5. She Goes To A Silent War*^ 6. Siren Days* 7. Liberated Gesture II Arc 8. Liberated Gesture III Tightrope Walk 9. Liberated Gesture IV Hartung’s Light 10. Hassan’s Fashion Magazine+

Personnel: Caroline Davis (alto saxophone*, poetry reading^); Matt Mitchell (piano); Yuhan Su (vibraphone); Marty Kenney (bass, electric bass+) and Dan Weiss (drums)