November 2010

Matt Herskovitz
Jerusalem Trilogy
Justin Time Records

By Bill Milkowski

Pianist-composer Matt Herskowitz pilots a seamless cross-genre journey with his trio, augmented by violinist Lara St. John and cellist Mike Block. Blending elements of classical (“Polonaise Libanaise,” “Prokofiev’s Revenge”), rock (the Bad Plus-influenced “Crossbones”) and jazz, Herskowitz exhibits his commanding keyboard skills and improvisational daring throughout. The centerpiece is his three-movement “Jerusalem Trilogy,” though his most affecting pieces are the moving “Gottingen,” with Bassam Saba on Middle Eastern nay and oud, and the intimate “Duologue on Under Your White Starry Heaven,” written for violinist St. John and cellist Block.