May 2011

Yaron Herman Trio
Follow the White Rabbit
ACT Music + Vision

By Bill Milkowski

Israeli pianist Yaron Herman taps bassist Chris Tordini and drummer Tommy Crane for this fresh piano-trio outing, his first for the ACT label. The crystalline melodies and meditative vibe of pieces like “Ein Gedi,” “Saturn Returns” and the luminous title track may recall Keith Jarrett’s trio or other ECM-ish piano-trio outings. But this band’s more contemporary approach—particularly on pieces like “Trylon” and covers of Nirvana’s “Heart Shaped Box” and Radiohead’s “No Surprise”—actually has more in common with the vibrant style of E.S.T. or Rachel Z’s groups. Also present is a beautifully relaxed rendition of the poignant lullaby “Baby Mine,” from the 1941 Disney movie Dumbo.