Matt Ulery: Delicate Charms - LYDIALIEBMAN.COM

Delicate Charms
Release date: October 15, 2019
Label: Woolgathering Records

Bassist/composer Matt Ulery's new jazz quintet album, Delicate Charms is fervent and spellbinding - the album perfectly captures the energy, dynamic nuance and sensitivity of the performers who grace each of the Ulery-penned tracks. Delicate Charms features Greg Ward on alto saxophone, Zach Brock on violin, Rob Clearfield on piano, Quin Kirchner on drums and Matt Ulery playing double bass on all tracks. The unusual instrumentation of alto saxophone and violin paired with a traditional rhythm section comprised of piano, bass and drums produces wonderful opportunities to explore an array of fresh colors, textures and blends of melody. The interaction between Ward’s alto saxophone and Brock’s violin creates a singular, unique tone when playing in unison and a warm density when playing contrapuntally.

The opportunity to perform with this unusual outfit was presented to Ulery upon being asked to bring a small group to perform a set at the Guimarães (Portugal) Jazz Festival, at which he was the artist/composer-in-residence, in November 2018. The consummate double bassist and composer was so pleased with the outcome of the performance that the group, which he entitled ‘Delicate Charms’, flew to Chicago after the festival and recorded this release which bears the same name as the ensemble. Band leader Ulery exclaims “A fan I am of these tenacious individuals I call close friends and collaborators. The sound and vibe of this project would be impossible without their unique, distinct musical expression.”

The first track on Delicate Charms is titled “Coping” - an almost entirely through-composed suite performed continuously in six parts. This deeply emotive piece runs for over thirteen minutes and the dynamics and stellar interplay of the piece captivate the listener’s attention throughout. The composer stated that he wrote “Coping” slowly over the course of a year, as health challenges afflicting close family members weighed heavily. This composition reminds us that while we all tackle complex emotions throughout our lives, we can seek solace in the creation and the enjoyment of art. “Tribulations and disarray in life are nothing new, but as artists, we might be lucky enough to have creative outlets, mostly abstract in instrumental music, to somehow project or direct these personal impressions” says the artist. “Reflecting on what came together in this time, I realized it was a process in patience, acceptance, and transition.”

“Mellisonant” is an exploration in density and melodic intrigue. The track introduces the listener to the improvisational prowess of Greg Ward and Zach Brock as they trade soloing segments. The sweet warmth of the track aptly reflects its title “mellisonant”, meaning ‘pleasing to the ear’. “The Air We Breath” demonstrates the rhythmic facility of the ensemble, and features stunning solos by Rob Clearfield and Greg Ward. The melancholy, reserved harmonies of “October” add a stately, third-stream charm to the albums assemblage of compositions. Quin Kirchner accents Ulery’s melody with a masterful intensity and precision. The final track on the album “Nerve” features an almost meditative intro from Rob Clearfield, followed by soaring melodies from Ward and Brock. This dynamic track features a delicate, and yet declarative solo by the bassist and bandleader, and builds to a climax featuring the full personnel locked into the harmony and the rhythmic jabs of this intense Ulery composition, a fitting finale for this exciting release.