Renewal Liner Notes

We have adapted the title “Different But the Same” from our first recording as the name of this group because it clearly describes who we are. As noted in the liner notes from the first recording, Ellery and I have a history which goes back a few decades. He has found a unique sound and a way to play that is entirely his own. Jim Black is another artist with a completely singular personality and one of the most inventive musicians I have played with. The two of them have been playing together for years in Ellery’s group, while Tony, another complete individualist has been with me since 1991 in my regular working quartet. With such singular voices together in one group, the meaning of “different, but the same” is very clear. There is a common understanding that we all share of freedom and spontaneity framed within underlying structures accompanied by a loving nod to the jazz legacy. The compositions heard on this CD evidence a diversity of idioms and styles unified by a common aesthetical approach. This is a group where straight ahead and free jazz clearly intersect with a feeling of immediacy and urgency that is palpable. Enjoy the music.

David Liebman

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My association with Dave goes back many years now, even as many folks are still learning about our relationship.  It's been very rewarding for me to take part in this project with Dave, Tony and Jim since it addresses certain jazz roots while allowing us the freedom to take the music anywhere we choose.   Renewal is our second recording as a band (the first being "Different But the Same") and was recorded shortly after our second tour of Europe in 2007.  

We covered a lot of ground on Different But the Same but due to the fact that Tony and Jim are now contributing compositions I think Renewal has even more scope and is a more personal statement from the group.  Tony's "Palpable Clock" is a ten bar blues and Jim's "Cha" is a melodic essay written in 7/4.  Dave's "Dimi and the Blue Men" reflects his recent trip to Mauritania while Renewal is one of his signature deep ballads.  Of my own pieces, "The Decider" is a multi-sectioned composition while "Instant Counterpoint" begs the question of whether it is written or completely improvised.  Even I don't know for sure.

A number of people seemed surprised when we released the first DBTS recording.  For whatever reasons Dave and I weren't perceived as having that much in common, probably due to the fact that our music and careers have indeed been different.  Dave's career goes back to the 1960's and includes his associations with many of the biggest names in jazz.  I'm of the generation that had to carve out our own niche and try change the rules of the game.  However, it was Dave who was one of the few musicians who noticed and encouraged me when I arrived in New York in 1983.  We both share certain influences yet we've applied them in rather different ways.  On this project I think what we share in common has a lot to do with how we think about sound, the ways in which we morph our sounds into all sorts of contortions  while never entirely losing the threads of melody and harmony that hold the pieces together.  And I must say, it's a real pleasure to do that with a kindred spirit and a true player's player like Dave as well as Tony and Jim, who's experiences are also vast and deep.  To me, the music feels vital and I'm quite proud to have taken part in it.

Ellery Eskelin

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