MP3 Soundclips

New Dreams

But Not For Me

Jean-Michel Pilc ëNew Dreamsí

On August 14, 2007, Jean-Michel Pilc unveiled his New Dreams, his fifth release on Dreyfus Records.

Pilc, recipient of a grant from Chamber Music America (funded by Doris Duke Charitable Foundation) for the composition and performances of new work, displays his skills as a composer on ten of the 15 tracks, while taking on often covered jazz standards by the likes of George Gershwin and Thelonious Monk.

With his masterful technique, idiosyncratic rhythmic invention and harmonic sophistication, Pilc deconstructs and reinvents standards almost beyond recognition, while his lyrical melodicism keeps them familiar yet new.

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Joining Pilc are his working trio of bassist Thomas Bramerie and drummer Mark Mondesir, whom Pilc formally introduced last year with the release of his live recording, Live at Iridium, New York. Pilc also brings back Ari Hoenig, his long-time collaborator and drummer from his previous trio, on such classics as ìBut Not For Me,î ìA Child Is Born,î ìSatin Dollî and ìStraight No Chaser,î as well as originals such as ìTree Part I,î ìHummingbirds,î title track ìNew Dreams,î ìActionî and ìTrees Part II.î Mondesir plays on Pilc originals only, and the rearrangement of Robert Schumannís ìWidmung.î

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Pilc's latest album is a combination of the past and the present, from his band to his choice of compositions, painting of time yet to come. He moves effortlessly from the classic to the modern, from the old to the new, in his constant exploration of self. Check with him tomorrow, though, as it is sure to evolve.

With Jean-Michel Pilc at the helm, modern piano jazz will be ìconsistently intriguingî (Jazziz).