Dan Wall: Off the Wall

Perhaps best recognized through his B-3 organ work with John Abercrombie’s trio, Dan Wall takes to the big keyboard again with a trio including drummer Adam Nussbaum, also of Abercrombie’s group, and guitarist Karl Ratzer. They work, as in create, on a disc full of Wall’s compositions with plenty of room for all to invent and interact. The mix both of musicians and styles is at once soulful and thoughtful, free yet tight. Adding further interest is some fine blowing on trumpet and fluegelhorn by Ingrid Jensen. Her warm sound pairs well with the roundness of the organ on “Waltz for John” a big cushion of sound. There is an uncommon element which permeates this disc in the unique way each of these superior musicians approach their respective parts. They groove even when they play free as heard on “Zakatak.”

Originally Published January 1, 1998