PRESS FOR BURGEONING:
"Music... has a sense of timelessness..."
Reviewer: Dick Metcalf aka Rotcod Zzaj, Zzaj producitons, 9/07
Hmmmm... let's see, now... "rapidly escalating"... "growing"... "mushrooming"... all 3 words serve very nicely to describe this all-original set from pianist/composer Jarrett Cherner. In the sense of "rapidly escalating", I feel myself quickly rising into a zone that I've always wanted jazz to elevate me to... when it comes to "growing", Jarrett's compositions will (very rapidly) grow on YOU (as they did on me). I mean, it's often hard to discern a "hook" in a jazz tune, but track 2, "Shake The Cage", seemed to stick in my head for hours - & if that's not a "hook", I don't know what is. His hands & fingers are solid on the board, & the trio (Jorge Roeder's acoustic & electric basses & Jorge Perez-Albela's drums & percussives) is right with him all the way through. The music is more than just "punctual", though... it has a sense of timelessness not always found in the music composed by younger players these days... the listener won't be just tappin' their toes, they will be enchanted; & that is especially true of the title track! A really solid, forever kind of tune. The cut that is nearest to the kind of jazz I "burgeoned" on, though, & my favorite one on the album, is simply titled - "Theme". My only complaint is that the track was too short. A truly versatile talent that jazz listeners are bound to hear a lot more from! This gets our MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating. Superb playing for hours of pleasurable listening.
"Cherner has established himself as one of the most exciting young pianist-composers on the Bay Area scene."
Andrew Gilbert, San Jose Mecury News, 8/07
Sample a baker's dozen of S.J. Jazz Festival acts: Sunday 2 p.m., Smith Dobson Stage. Since the release of his impressive 2006 CD "Burgeoning," New England Conservatory-trained pianist Jarrett Cherner has established himself as one of the most exciting young pianist-composers on the Bay Area scene. He plays with a trio featuring bassist John Shifflett and drummer Tim Bulkley.
"Cherner clearly has a bright future "
Reviewer: Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Scene, 1/07
Pianist Jarrett Cherner's trio with bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Jorge Perez-Albela interprets Cherner's originals throughout his debut CD. Based in San Francisco, the trio performs complex rhythms and tricky time signatures with ease and keeps their music open to both World Music influences and straight ahead swinging. While Cherner is generally the lead voice, both Roeder and Perez-Albela are very active and inspiring in the ensembles, creating music that is always stimulating and full of surprises. In addition Roeder gets a fair amount of solo space. It is obvious that these musicians play together a lot.
A lyrical player who sounds thoughtful even when playing an uptempo piece, Jarrett Cherner clearly has a bright future. His compositions are quite original (rather than being based on familiar chord changes), his improvising hints in spots at Bill Evans but is personal, and his interplay with his trio finds the three musicians often seeming to think as one.
Burgeoning is recommended and available from www.jarrettcherner.com [right here!].
"displays poise and promise"
Reviewer: Andrew Gilbert, Contra Costa Times, 12/06
The abundantly gifted pianist and composer Jarrett Cherner displays so much poise and promise with his trio on "Burgeoning" that I'm making a point of catching his performances this winter.
"The interactions were rich in dynamics, inventive interplay, and stimulating counterpoint. The result was surprising, vibrant, adventurous, and highly groovin’ music." [Live Review]
Reviewer: Patricia Albela, LA Jazz Scene, 11/06
The Jarrett Cherner Trio performed at La Ve Lee last September [9.26.06], on its first West-Coast tour. Cherner, a young pianist/composer of extraordinary talent, led his superb trio through a unique Latin/World-tinged take on the jazz piano tradition.
With a repertoire of mostly originals that won Cherner an ASCAP Young Composer Award [honorable mention], the trio, which sprouted from the Boston jazz scene, has been attracting audiences with its debut CD Burgeoning.
The charismatic Cherner was joined by two highly creative musicians, both East-Coast-based Peruvians, well-versed in jazz and world rhythms: bassist Jorge Roeder contributed excellence, solidity, and warmth on his acoustic. His solos and occasional use of the bow were masterful. Drummer/percussionist Jorge Perez-Albela brought energy, sensitivity and an exciting rhythmic arsenal. He played off and built from his band mates’ ideas, and challenged them with his own. The interactions were rich in dynamics, inventive interplay, and stimulating counterpoint. The result was surprising, vibrant, adventurous, and highly groovin’ music.
Cherner’s interesting harmonics and percussive style were striking from the opening “Theme.” Next came “Untitled,” an ostinato-driven piece with teasing breaks, and “New Tune in A Major 7,” a moody funk ballad. The trio swung bebop-style in Powell’s “Bouncing with Bud,” then quieted down in the dazzling “Burgeoning.” But things heated up in the 6/8 festejo rendition of Parker’s “Billie’s Bounce,” carried by Roeder and Perez-Albela’s Afro-Peruvian skills. Perez-Albela played drum set and cajon at once (one hand in each), and alternated from one to the other with an entrancing effect. Then came the spellbinding bossa nova “Somebody Quietly.” In the Middle-Eastern-hued “Alone Together” the musicians created a groove by repetition of rhythms and melodic lines. Here Perez-Albela used rattle bells, and a pandeiro on the snare drum. Roeder led the group into the 7/4 gem “Shake the Cage” (an NPR pick for All Songs Considered’s web showcase for self-produced, independent artists), which featured Cherner’s solo over Perez-Albela’s triangle beats. The night ended with “Sucker Punch,” a composition loaded with spirit and attitude.
The trio continued its performance schedule in San Francisco, where Cherner now resides.
"...Cherner's music tells a story."
Reviewer: Jim Santella, Cadence Magazine, 11/06
[Burgeoning] ...features The Jarrett Cherner Trio in a program of original music... Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, the pianist moved to New England for his higher education. He holds a bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Tufts University and a bachelor's degree in Jazz Piano Performance from the New England Conservatory. he recently moved back to the West Coast. This, Cherner's first recording as a leader, demonstrates the percussive strength that he applies to his work. Complex rhythms and creative strides fulfill the session's purpose of demonstrating the trio's unique feel for Straight-Ahead Jazz. The pianist thunders hard, cascading with powerful force in the right hand, while walking his harmonic formulae with the left. Bassist Jorge Roeder strolls with a confident foundation throughout the session, relieving the pianist of that role, and solos with authority. He moves between acoustic and electric bass seamlessly for ease of expression. Roeder and drummer Jorge Pérez-Albela provide an exciting handclap and drum kit syncopation alongside the pianist on "Shake the Cage" for the album's high point. Cherner's music tells a story. He moves suite-like through the works, pausing to change direction often. A portion of the program explains the Blues, while other sections interpret passionate ballad emotions or hard-driving soul. The album's title track includes a lyrical conversation between piano and bass that speaks volumes through its adventurous foray and its ample spontaneity. Most of the session runs with a similar character.
"The groove is humming from start to finish..."
Reviewer: D. Oscar Groomes, www.OsPlaceJazz.com, Winter 06
The groove is humming from start to finish with all band members contributing to the mix. Jarrett is playing piano with deliberate syncopated phrases. On bass Jorge Roeder is a firm anchor with drummer Jorge Pérez-Albela keeping time and holding the unit together. Roeder opens "Shake the Cage" with a solo before slipping into the background while Pérez-Albela keeps our energy stoked. All the while Cherner is tickling the ivories. There's not a lot more to say other than sit back and enjoy it as we did, three times through before making notes. We were that engaged, and pleasurably so!
"...a must for music lovers across many genres..."
Reviewer: Shaun McNamara, Metromome Magazine, 10/06
The most important thing I can say about Jarrett Cherner is that his focused intent and love of music makes his debut CD, Burgeoning, a must for music lovers across many genres. From Jazz and Blues, to World and dance. His appeal is now becoming bicoastal and the diversity of his travels shows in his music."
"They could not have come up with a better word to encapsulate their debut effort and its title track, which grows and blossoms to a musical pinnacle."
Reviewer: Liza Monroy, www.indie-music.com, 9/06
This jammin’ jazz CD inspired me to look up the word “burgeoning” in the dictionary. I knew what it meant, but I was pretty sure that, whatever the exact definition was, this band was doing it. The Jarrett Cherner Trio is nothing if not precise.
bur·geon also bour·geon
Pronunciation Key (bûrjn)
intr.v. bur·geoned, bur·geon·ing, bur·geons
1. To put forth new buds, leaves, or greenery; sprout.
2. To begin to grow or blossom.
3. To grow and flourish.
The Trio does all of the above on this album, short of literally spouting leaves, of course. They could not have come up with a better word to encapsulate their debut effort and its title track, which grows and blossoms to a musical pinnacle.
The band incorporates Latin flavor into more traditional riffs, like on track 2, “Shake The Cage,” which evokes the proper visual element the music encompasses. Charismatic pianist and composer Cherner takes the listener to unexpected places, on a journey in sound that echoes his travels through Peru and the United States. Bassist Jorge Roeder and percussionist Jorge Perez-Albela bring the rhythm to Cherner’s arrangements, so precise they come off as spontaneous – the effect of all great jazz. Cherner has a math degree, and it shows.
The best thing about jazz is just being along for the ride, going wherever the music takes you. Cherner and the Jorges bring us on a journey so intricately plotted that it seems masterfully random. May this trio continue to burgeon.
"...exhibits Cherner, Roeder and Perez-Albela’s masterful control of timing, cadence and color."
Reviewer: Douglas Sloan, Metronome Magazine (Doug's Top 5), 8/06
Pianist Jarrett Cherner leads his stellar trio through a collection of snappy, upbeat originals and one cover that reminds this reviewer of jazz great Cyrus Chestnut. Cherner along with Jorge Roeder on acoustic & electric bass and Jorge Perez-Albela on drums serve up seductive slices of rhythm and melody sure to waken the senses.
Cherner is an adventurous pianist and his flighty excursions lead him through some engaging territory. The seven and a half minute “Shake The Cage” is an expressive example of his inventive interplay with drummer Perez-Albela while the monumental eleven and a half minute “Stand Your Own” exhibits Cherner, Roeder and Perez-Albela’s masterful control of timing, cadence and color.
Cherner and company can also smolder with passion as is evident in the sultry “Untitled,” while be-bopping with the best of them on the entertaining “Sucker Punch.” No matter what road Cherner decides to travel, you can guarantee it’s going to be a wonderful trip. Bravo!
"...one of those debut albums that the critics will be talking about."
Reviewer: Edward Blanco, www.ejazznews.com, 5/06
The album opens up with a short sweet little number entitled “Theme,” a percussive cut in which Cherner runs through the keys in stylish fashion. Bassist Roeder leads off on the second track “Shake The Cage” with a nice chorus followed by Perez-Albela on sticks and eventually engaged by the leader on a long solo excursion in a nice spicy piece of music. It’s drummer Perez-Albela who introduces “Stand Your Own,” the longest track at eleven minutes plus of electricity and magic from Cherner on a relatively mid-tempo tune. My favorite piece of music on this disc has to be the finale, “Somebody Quietly,” one delicious and sensuous chart played slow and softly in a tune that you can close your eyes to and drift into musical heaven. I play this one often. Burgeoning is one of those debut albums that the critics will be talking about. Cherner is engaging and delivers a performance displaying moments of brilliance. The Trio plays tight with great interplay between the players and with this outing, they succeed in making an impressive musical statement.
"...particularly impressive to hear a young pianist with as distinctive and mature an approach as is the case here."
Reviewer: Taxi (track 6, Sucker Punch), 5/06
The title fits the sassy, streetwise vibe of the track... The trio plays great together. To my ears, the track swings like crazy... Cherner has a wonderfully fluid style; I esp. like the use of polyrhythms and intriguing harmonic substitutions. It's particularly impressive to hear a young pianist with as distinctive and mature an approach as is the case here. |
