Amygdalicious

"There are many ways of framing this series of freely improvised duets
between trombonist Julian Priester and drummer Aaron Alexander: a
master class in what Priester calls "spontaneous composition"; a
primer on creating graceful melodies and coherent structures on the
spot; an object lesson in how to make a small group sound like a large
one. But the simplest is probably the best: a conversation between two
old friends.

Alexander and Priester first played together nearly 25 years ago at
Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, where Alexander was a student
and Priester an instructor. By that time, the older man was already a
legendary figure in the jazz world, having worked with Duke Ellington,
Sun Ra, and Dave Holland, among others. Alexander, meanwhile, was one
of a small group of young Seattle players who would go on to define a
particularly adventurous and inclusive stream of modern jazz. For
several years, the two worked together both in the classroom and on
the bandstand. Then Alexander moved to New York City. This recording
marks the first time they have performed together in 15 years.

Listening to them now, it is easy to understand why veteran jazz
musicians often describe their work as a conversation or dialogue.  As
the music unfolds -- Priester unfurling one judicious phrase after
another, Alexander generating an endlessly varied sequence of textures
and colors -- it sounds very much like a heartfelt discussion between
two sensitive and intelligent people, a discussion that is by turns
sombre, joyous, even funny. The intimacy of these tracks exemplifies
the exposed quality Priester mentions in his own notes; we are
eavesdroppers here, and lucky to be so."

by Alexander Gelfand


Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved

Aaron Alexander - drums, percussion
Julian Priester - trombone

Produced by Aaron Alexander
Recorded by Randy Crafton at Kaleidoscope Sound, Union City, NJ, September, 2007
Except #4 and #15, Recorded by Guy Staley at London Bridge Studios, Seattle, WA, January 2007
Mixed by David Richards, Mazebright Tenafly N,J.
Mastered by Jon Rosenberg, Brooklyn, NY
Graphic Design by Jon Madof
Cover Image by Ezra Cohen - River, 2009. Oil on Canvas, 26" X 32". Private Collection