ELDAD TARMU

HORACE SILVER ON ALUMINUM

Queen of Bohemia

Eldad Tarmu, vibraphone; Marty Isenberg, double bass; Michael Shapira, drums.

Eldad Tarmu has chosen eight Horace Silver compositions and arranged them cleverly as “Silver on Aluminum” to celebrate not only the genius of Silver’s composing accomplishments, but also Tarmu’s excellence on vibraphone, an aluminum instrument. Tarmu has arranged songs that were written for a quintet into arrangements for his vibraphone, bass and drum trio. The result is quite unique and very entertaining.

A tune called “No Smokin’” moves at a furious pace and engages me right away. Written in a minor key, this trio shows their professional aptitude to shine, each on his own instrument, while interpreting Silver’s memorable composition at break-neck speed. They take off like Indianapolis race car drivers and never pause to refuel.  Fasten your seatbelt on this one!

“Gregory is Here” gives Michael Shapira an opportunity to show off his mad drum skills.  Arranged as an upbeat Latin tune, the three musicians each give it all they’ve got.  The other tune they play, that flies like a Peregrine Falcon on steroids, is “Yeah.” That Silver tune closes this album. Once again, I am caught up in the speed and sensational playing of these three musicians.

Tarmu is an interesting character.  He began recording original jazz albums in the late nineties and was quite popular on the Southern California jazz scene.  He completed a master’s degree in Afro-Latin Music from Cal State University Los Angeles.  For a while he collaborated with Romanian bassist, violinist and music researcher, Johnny Bota. This led to Tarmu being offered a job as head of the Jazz Department at the Richard Oschanitzky Jazz School at Tibiscus University in Timisoara, Romania.

When Eldad Tarmu returned to the United States, he settled on the East Coast in New York City.  Now, with the exciting talents of two young jazz players, (Marty Isenberg on bass and Michael Shapira on drums) Tarmu offers us this unique idea to celebrate Horace Silver’s music, featuring his vibraphone excellence. The project is formidable and reflects great creativity, spontaneity, and top rate musicianship.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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