Fly

Tenorist Mark Turner has enough experience with tradition to be able to both go a long way back and think a long way ahead. As a result, he is an interesting soloist who sometimes unexpectedly turns off the beaten track into the strangest of side-tracks. His compositions often take an erratic course when it comes to both rhythmic and harmonic structure and atmosphere, ranging from lyrical and melodic pieces with long rubato passages to tight funk, sometimes with unusual time signatures. Thanks to Turner's somewhat rarefied sound - a mix of Wayne Shorter and Warne Marsh - there is a great deal of space in the total sound. Drummer Jeff Ballard and bassist Larry Grenadier fill in this space with their phenomenal ability. Both of them are well-known as a result of their long-term collaboration with Brad Mehldau. Ballard's playing style is characterised by wonderful technique; flowing, complementary and with great attention to his fellow musicians. One constantly has the feeling that he still has something in reserve. With Grenadier, every bass note is carefully chosen: he plays precisely the note which will support but also guide the soloist. His expert, harmonically and rhythmically-driven playing makes an important contribution to the group sound.