Search - Geoffrey Keezer :: Falling Up

Among the most beautiful jazz albums ever recorded

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 10/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jeff Keezer, the brilliant young jazz pianist, has a very personal, even idiosyncratic musical vision. Here, on what can only be described as a ravishingly gorgeous disc, it serves him unfailingly. A number of things make this disc work, not least the artist's love of Hawaiian folk music, which is the (unlikely, for a jazz artist) starting point of this disc--and, hence, the understandable but misleading idea that it has a New Age vibe. Something much deeper is going on, something almost impossible to even talk about without sounding sentimental or weird: Hawaiian music has somehow become the most effective vehicle for Keezer to express his deepest feelings, the essence of which is a kind of glory tinged by sadness. The key is the song "Famous Are the Flowers." Originally a 19th century popular song protesting the annexation of the Kingdom of Hawaii to the United States, it is here rendered with such love, such poignancy, such glorious melancholy, that the listener encounters the kind of longing that C. S. Lewis called Sehnsuct, and which pervades, for example, The Lord of the Rings. Interesting, a tune from the film version of LOTR, "Gollum's Song," is includedThe three Hawaiian tunes included are simply stunning, and definitely set the musical tone for the entire disc. One thing is glaringly apparent--Keezer's genuine appreciation for the music of Hawaii. Too often artists, in their effort to add color and exoticism to their work, do not pay sufficient attention to the subtleties of the alien musical sensibilities they desire to incorporate into their own aesthetic vision. The clincher is "Navigating by Starlight," an original Keezer composition and the longest and most evocative tune at over eight minutes. Keezer, in notes to the music, describes the piece thus: "I was thinking about ancient seafaring people, and how they could travel for thousands of miles reading tides originating from even other continents. In the mysterious darkness of night, they used a highly evolved understanding of the stars to guide them. Sounds of Java, Okinawa, and Japan." These are the racial and cultural antecedents for the people of Hawaii, and he has perfectly captured that sensibility in a profound way. Aided by Anthony Brown (who co-wrote the tune) and the Asian American Jazz Orchestra, the song perfectly evokes what Keezer describes in his notes.The other tunes on the album, though arising out of different circumstances and having a slightly different feel, seem to have somehow been drawn into the orbit of the Hawaiian sun that pervades the disc. Personal favorites include "Falling Up," with its attractive melody, slightly exotic instrumentation, and feel-good vibe, the three piano trio numbers, "Palm Reader," "Gollum's Song," and "Prelude in E-Flat." The only song that doesn't work optimally for me is "Featherfall," featuring vocals by Claire Martin. It would've best been left off the disc, but since it has deep personal meaning for Keezer, I can see why he wanted to include it.Highest recommendation."

A winner of a jazz album

Joanna Daneman | Middletown, DE USA | 08/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a wonderful cd of contemporary piano. Geoff Keezer composes and plays piano sort of "New Age" but it's not a copy of any of the names like George Winston or Liz Story. So, if you are a New Age piano fan, here is something excellent and NEW, not a copy or sound-alike studio mishmosh. The Hawaiian touch was unique as well.



There are some interesting arrangements, and Keezer has a wonderfully mellow yet jazzy style that I found quite interesting as well as relaxing. This is a great cd to try if you like New Age or contemporary piano and are looking for something new. I really liked this one a lot.



The artists on this album

Geoffrey Keezer, piano, Fender Rhodes, vibraphone & marimba

Scott Colley, bass

Karriem Riggins, drums, percussion

Keola Beamer, acoustic guitar, `one hano ihu (bamboo note flute)

Paul Bollenback, acoustic guitar

Claire Martin, vocals

Ingrid Jensen, flugelhorn

Steve Wilson, alto flute

Joe Locke, vibraphone

Tim Garland, bass clarinet

Laurence Cottle, acoustic bass guitar

Richard Cottle, keyboards

Moanalani Beamer, ka `eke `eke (tuned bamboo pipes)

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