8. Terri Lyne Carrington: “Wistful” (The Mosaic Project, Concord Jazz, 2011)
Much of Terri Lyne Carrington’s writing is song-oriented, featuring lyrics and vocalists. “Wistful” features the latter, but used very subtly—Carrington’s wordless voice in a warm, beguiling mix. If there are no lyrics, it may be because the melody isn’t exactly lyrical; it’s complex, with wide intervals and sudden twists (which is also true of the harmony and rhythm). But its labyrinthine form nonetheless inspires bountiful solo work by bass clarinetist Anat Cohen, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, and soprano saxophonist Tineke Postma. Moreover, it’s got an astonishing warmth and smooth flow that make it feel familiar and comforting, a formidable accomplishment in a composition as tricky as this one. It marks Carrington, acclaimed though she is for her virtuoso drumming, as an underrated composer.
