Search - Jeff Gauthier :: Mask

In the relatively small world of jazz violin, Jeff Gauthier's name isn't the first to come to mind. Nonetheless, the Los Angeles-based Gauthier does some pretty impressive work on Mask, his third album as a leader. Joined by Alex and Nels Cline, on drums and guitar respectively, along with pianist David Witham and bassist Joel Hamilton, Gauthier leads a string-laden combo that is fun, winsome, and enjoyable. The sonorous tones of Gauthier, the nimble-fingered runs of Nels Cline, and the intuitive chording of Witham create moody and complex harmonic backdrops throughout and are a distinctive highlight. Things get upbeat on the band's rendition of Ornette Coleman's "Enfant," which also features the Goatette at their most adventurous. Seemingly inspired by King Crimson, the 18-minute-long title cut will be a bit much for some, but such a transgression is balanced by the nuanced closing ballad, "Forgiveness." This is another great album from Cryptogramophone that quietly straddles the line between accessible and artistic. --Tad Hendrickson