Search - Ali Ryerson :: Portraits in Silver

Shimmering Silver

Gary L Connely | Hercules, CA | 07/11/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"According to Ali Ryerson:



"The flute is a beautiful instrument, as opposed to a strong instrument. You have to add the percussive side yourself. You have to develop an articulation that will bring the flute to the jazz idiom. And you have to pick your material very carefully, because not everything fits the flute."



Does Ms Ryerson know what she's talking about? One listen to "Portraits in Silver" and I think that you'll agree that she does.



In "Portraits in Silver" Ms Ryerson brings her shimmering, silvery tone, perfectly controlled breath, and sure touch to ten "very carefully" picked songs - ranging from Chick Corea's "Windows" to Bill Evans' "Very Early." Along the way, she's joined by Kenny Werner, a fine bop pianist and leader in his own right, bassist Dennis Irvin and drummer Danny Gottlieb. The flute is not necessarily an easy "lead" instrument in a jazz setting, but Mr Werner gives Ms Ryerson outstanding support and their interplay carries the album.



"Portraits...." is mainstream, mellow, Saturday afternoon jazz, (Ms Ryerson's comments concerning the "percussive side" notwithstanding, there's very little of that here - if you're looking for a flutist who can play the pipe like a drum set, check out Robert Dick). It's one of those albums that will please both casual and critical listeners - beautiful music played beautifully.



The sonics are up to Concord's usual standards - clear and precise and a little on the warm side. The CD realistically captures the "breathiness" of Ms Ryerson's flute.



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