Tag: Momentum

www.allaboutjazz.com

A quick glance at the monochrome photo that adorns the cover of Momentum could lead to the impression that the pianist is George Gershwin. It isn’t, of course, it’s Noah Haidu and this is his second album as leader. Any similarities between Haidu and Gershwin end with the shadowy cover shot—Haidu most definitely looks to more contemporary influences for his inspiration.

Haidu’s debut album, Slipstream (Posi-Tone Records, 2011), was a quintet affair with trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and tenor saxophonist Jon Irabagon taking on a big slice of the front-line duties. Momentum retains that album’s warmth but removes the emphasis on horns. This is a trio outing and while bassist Ariel de la Portilla and drummer McClenty Hunter are in excellent form Haidu is very much the man in front.

The decision to slim down the band suggests that Haidu is gaining confidence as a player—as does his decision to include an impressive cover of Keith Jarrett’s “Rainbow.” The confidence isn’t misplaced. Haidu’s selection of covers is shrewd, demonstrating his range both technically and stylistically. Jimmy Van Heusen’s “I Thought About You” really swings and the loose, relaxed, version of Thad Jones’ “A Child Is Born” captures that tune’s inherent grace.

Four of the tunes are Haidu’s own. “Momentum” is well named: a driving rhythm from all three players underpins Haidu’s melodic lines. “Juicy” shares that drive but adds a few quirks. “Cookie Jar” the best of the bunch, Hunter and de la Porta creating an energy that inspires Haidu to his most assertively swinging performance.

The fourth of Haidu’s numbers, “Groove Interlude,” is an oddity: a 99 second tune that sounds like it has the momentum (sorry) to go places but never does. Momentum, on the other hand, demonstrates clearly that Haidu’s got the talent to go places: it will be fascinating to hear which places he goes to next.

jazzandblues.blogspot.com

Pianist Noah Haidu leads a solid mainstream trio on this album supported by Ariel de la Portilla on bass and McClenty Hunter on drums. The play a wide variety of original compositions and a few standards that cohere well as a mainstream jazz LP. “Momentum” and “Groove Interlude” are a showcase for Haidu’s percussive uptempo piano playing, driving the music forward, with ample support from bass and drums. On the standards “A Child Is Born” and “The End of a Love Affair” you hear the more melodic sense of the band. Haidu has an excellent sense of time and pacing, allowing the music to breathe well and allowing his colleagues ample space to express themselves. He ends the album with a reading solo piano  reading of of “Serenity” which builds from a forlorned opening to a a hopeful and gentle conclusion. All in all, this is a fine piano trio release, quite accessible and approachable for most mainstream jazz fans.

steptempest.blogspot.com

Pianist/composer Noah Haiduis a wonderfully talented pianist whose debut CD on Posi-Tone Records, “Slipstream“, featured a quintet with Jon Irabagon (saxophone) and Jeremy Pelt (trumpet).  His sophomore effort for the label is aptly titled “Momentum” and finds Haidu leading a trio of bassist Ariel de la Portilla and drummer McClenty Hunter through a smartly balanced program of originals and standards.

Perhaps the best part of Haidu’s playing is how melodic he can be.  On pieces such as Keith Jarrett’s “Rainbow” and Thad Jones’s “A Child Is Born“, the pianist makes sure you hear the melody but, in the case of the latter tune, he wraps in quite a different arrangement. His solo is thoughtful, introspective (at times), and wistful as he gracefully and then forcefully moves away from the melody. The Cuban-born de la Portilla gives Haidu a great foundation while Hunter stays close to the beat without intruding. The gentle swing of the opening track, Jimmy Van Heusen’s “I Thought About You“, gives Haidu the opportunity to display his chops over the bassist’s active “walking” lines and the drummer’s catchy swing. The 2-handed chordal opening section of Joe Henderson’s “Serenity” is orchestral, richly melodic leaning towards the blues – the bass and drums eases into the solo section, opening a groove for Haidu to dance atop,.

The title track is an intelligent multi-sectioned piece with various changes in dynamics.  The drummer is in the driver’s seat, giving the song a joyful head of steam. There is a tinge of McCoy Tyner’s power in Haidu’s forceful solo.  The “slippery” rhythms of “Juicy” displays the fine interaction of the trio with each musician pushing the piece forward.

As I have stated numerous times, the jazz world does not lack for piano trio recordings.  What Noah Haidu and company accomplish on “Momentum” is to play with intensity, intelligence, and wit, allowing the pieces to breathe and the listener to enjoy without feeling battered or played down to.

thejazzword.blogspot.com

Momentum is a strong trio recording featuring pianist Noah Haidu’s original tunes as well as a few choice covers. Haidu leads bassist Ariel de la Portilla and drummer McClenty Hunter with a strong, swinging conviction, aided by an imaginative approach and ample chops. From the familiar bounce of “I Thought About You” to a raucous take on “The End of a Love Affair” to the dancing complexity of Haidu’s own “Juicy,” the session as a whole maintains interest from track to track with an overwhelming warm vibe.

www.criticaljazz.com

If James Brown was the busiest man in show business the smart money goes on Noah Haidu coming in a close second. Sitting in with numerous Post-Tone acts and the band Native Soul just begin to scratch the surface of a cross between McCoy Tyner and Horace Silver. Haidu can bang out a melody with the best of them but play with the artful finesse of a Silver or a Herbie Hancock while barely breaking a sweat. 

Momentum which is due to street in just a few short weeks is a trio with an incredibly lyrical bassist on the scene and of course McClenty Hunter who along with Haidu are my musical easy buttons. I am not as familiar with de la Portilla on bass but soon will be. Changing meter and harmonics all under the watch full eye of Haidu they work hand in glove and hopefully this is the start of a working trio. Variety is the spice of life, holds true in music too with Haidu knocking out Jimmy Van Heusen, Keith Jarrett and Joe Henderson and all on equal footing. 

I have noticed an odd occurrence, each year there seems to be one song recorded by everyone. This year the song happens to be my favorite “I Thought About You.” Thanks to a medical condition my playing days are over, I am still on the edge of my seat wondering will the slay it or will the tune crash and burn before the first change, Haidu is money, no worries here. A deceptively subtle swing, dynamic tension from dabbling in a little odd meter and the uniformity of a trio that easily bears my motto, “Swing hard or go home.” Another favorite from Thad Jones, A Child Is Born has a deep harmonic base with the dynamic tension that occurs when a major even happens in any life time. The reharms here are sublime. “Groove Interlude” is a Haidu original and both Haidu and the trio are on point every step of the way. Syncopated swing and Haidu and the boys welcome you to the land of rhythm of groove. 

Being a critic is far more than being critical. I try and approach each release as a story within itself with ideal the artist leading the way. More often than not that is a naive approach, Noah Haidu is accessible, intelligent and a master at his art. Critics are human, we have biases like everyone else. Recently a massive recording conglomerate lost their two best stars to the same label. I mention this for the way I was treated. Both Posi-Tone and their artists go out of their way to make my gig as easy as possible. It’s always better to work with someone than against them, you don’t tug on superman’s cape and you don’t spit into the wind. I have a few areas of expertise, these are some. 

There is simply nothing negative to say in regards to momentum.