Search - John Stetch :: Green Grove

What's the problem here?

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 07/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Stetch is certainly as talented as almost any jazz pianist on the scene today. And this strikes me as his best effort to date. Yet, despite the fact that he has released a handful of very accomplished discs as leader, he barely registers on the jazz radar screen. Sadly, this is an all too common a story among talented jazz musicians. It probably doesn't help that he's Canadian. Nor does it help that he's chosen to purvey his art in increasingly minimalist settings--this is a trio disc, and his more recent releases are solo efforts.



However, if you're taken by some of the better purveyors of jazz piano now on the scene--one thinks, e.g., of Jason Moran, Brad Mehldau, Omar Sosa, Jean-Michel Pilc, Frank Kimbrough, Jacky Terrasson, Vijay Iyer, and Craig Taborn--you should by all means check out John Stetch. In some ways, he's perhaps the best of the lot. He certainly can't be topped in the swing department (though Pilc might give him a run for his money). And he moves with ease through an astounding variety of modern jazz sensibilities.



His band's pretty killer as well. Featuring Canada's national treasure on bass, Kieran Overs, and the equally adept Ted Warren on drums, these guys lay down whatever vibe is called for, be it folk-jazz, ballad, blues, or post-bop. Stetch, however, is clearly the leader. He consistently finds the exact right vibe to situate his convincing solo and ensemble statements. Moreover, this is just spectacularly beautiful music, containing, however, sufficient spine and jazz acumen to keep it far from the saccharine sweetness of jazz lite.



Very much worth hearing."