Drummer Jeff Cosgrove has done it again with History Gets Ahead of the Story, his sixth album as a bandleader. The innovative drummer and composer pays homage to long time collaborator, bassist/composer William Parker. In the tradition of jazz, he has put his own unique twists on the tunes of the renowned bassist while capturing the essence of each of these stellar compositions.
The organ trio composed of Cosgrove on drums, Jeff Lederer on tenor saxophone, flute, and bass clarinet and John Medeski on organ bring life to each composition as the trio is completely in sync exploring the unknown and all the while maintaining their strong personalities that mesh so well together. Their sense of swing is definitely in the vein of the classical organ quartet sounds of the ’60s, and one cannot help but toe tap to the music such as in the opening track O’neal’s Porch. On the other hand, we have nebulous harmonies and loose rhythmic feels that are in complete contrast to their deep swinging feel such as in the tune entitled Ghost, which is a testament to the diversity of sounds the ensemble is capable of achieving. Lederer plays the melodies as if he is singing them with his voice, and the melodies he spins as he improves are just as appealing to the listener. Medeski and Cosgrove support Lederer’s playing with rhythmical figures and harmonies that are always appropriate for every moment in the story that is being told. When it is their time to solo, the solos seem to always be used to develop the compositions so as to always have an arc to them. It is a concept that only a group with seasoned veterans such as this can achieve.
Cosgrove, who is a renowned composer in his own right, has shown his humility and gratitude towards his colleagues/mentors who have helped shape his musical language in the past. His album, Motian Sickness, pays tribute to the late great drummer Paul Motian who heavily influenced Cosgrove. He has shown his respect for yet another statesman in History Gets Ahead of the Story and one can feel the essence of William Parker. I have no doubt that he will be proud of this extraordinary work of artistry, and I am equally confident the masterful playing on this album will encourage a new generation of jazz players and aficionados alike to listen to the music of the great bassist.
For further information please visit
https://www.jeffcosgrovemusic.com/ https://twitter.com/motiansickness
Photos by Joe Crocetta
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