Search - Jacky Terrasson :: Smile

The best of the younger generation of jazz pianists?

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 01/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The contenders, in my estimation, are Craig Taborn, Matthew Shipp, Jean-Michel Pilc, Brad Melhdau, Jason Moran, and Marc Cary, with Jason Lindner, Ed Simon, Laurent de Wilde, Andrew Wonsey, Xavier Davis, David Berkman, and Aaron Goldberg not far behind. People like Marlyn Crispel, Myra Melford, Irene Schweizer, Geri Allen, Georg Graewe, Alex Maguire, John Wolf Brennan, Django Bates, and Misha Mengleberg, though brilliant, are not part of the younger generation, either by age or approach. Others, like Hector Martignon, Chris Parker, Alex Marcelo, and Huw Warren just haven't been heard enough to be able to make a judgment.Of the prime candidates, Jacky Terrason probably has the biggest discography as leader (although Matthew Shipp may be close; I haven't heard all his stuff), and has also has probably played in the greatest diversity of settings. Combining an uncanny rhythmic sense, a touch which can be either delicate or percussive, depending on what's called for, a brilliant modern harmonic understanding, deep swing, glorious melodicism, and prodigious technique, he brings more to the table than any of the other contenders.And Smile is his best recording to date. He seems to have found the perfect bandmates in Sean Smith on bass (himself a leader of note) and Eric Harland on drums. Perfectly attunded to their leader's ever-changing rhythmic and harmonic conception, they combine profound history of the music with catlike agility, always providing the near-perfect grounding for Terrason's exalted flights of fancy. Moreover, everything seems completely at ease--from the trickiest single note runs to the funkiest blooze statements. There's not a false note in the bunch.I raved about Jean-Michel Pilc's astounding album, Welcome Home, and I'm not backing off from that review. But something even more spectacular is going on here: Smile contains all the virtuosity of Welcome Home, but it's a lot friendlier, a lot more accessible, and a lot more fun. Somebody's going to have to record a monster of an album to top this one in 2003"

Very Good Listening

Jan P. Dennis | 02/17/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Great tracks on this recording are "Smile," "The Dolphin," "Autumn Leaves," and "My Funny Valentine." At a recent Houston concert, Jacky's bass player and drummer arrived late, so we heard Jacky play solo for two sets. He was fabulous! The final set was comprised of selections from "Smile." You had to wish that the CD's title track, as nice as it is, had the same vibrancy and energy of the trio playing live. In concert, Jacky chases high lines that make the CD sound tame by comparison. But that's the studio vs. live. That's jazz."