07/20/11

Samuel Blaser/Paul Motian
Consort in Motion
Kind of Blue

By Bill Milkowski

Here, trombonist Samuel Blaser realizes his inspired notion of blending Italian Renaissance and baroque music—madrigals, string quartets, toccatas, Gregorian melodies—with jazz improvisation. He was also wise enough to hire Paul Motian to underscore the proceedings with his signature rubato touch on the kit, which instantly brings a hip sensibility to these ancient melodies. Bassist Thomas Morgan and piano Russ Lossing round out the ensemble on this intriguing, unconventional outing.