DAWN CLEMENT

DELIGHT

Origin Records

Dawn Clement, piano/vocals; Buster Williams, bass; Matt Wilson, drums.

Dawn Clement lets you know from the very first tune on this album, that she is a technical master at the 88-keys. Her trio is full of legacy, passion, and tenacity. Clement’s original tune is called “Outstretch” and it opens the album with straight-ahead jazz, a flurry of notes, some unexpected breaks in the rhythm, and a melody for the trio to enrich, each in their own improvised way.

“When we first came together as a trio, Buster, Matt, and I, there was an instant connection.  It was as though the music itself recognized something in us and decided we belonged,” Dwan Clement asserted in her liner notes.

Track #2 is an exploration of the Thelonious Monk tune, “Monk’s Dream.” Matt Wilson opens the arrangement on drums, soon joined by Dawn and Buster William on bass. It’s a wonderful arrangement, spotlighting Wilson later in the song, trading eights and letting the drums rip.  Before his solo, Dawn Clement has her own spectacular approach to interpreting Monk’s music from her unique perspective. I’ve heard this song numerous times, by a number of stellar players, but I have to say Dawn’s solo was entirely fresh and improvisationally creative.  Then comes the legend in the group, Buster Williams to soak up the spotlight with his bass.  It was a mesmerizing experience.  I played this track twice.

Fondly referred to as the “Wonder Woman of Seattle” Dawn Clement has won numerous Earshot Jazz Golden Ear Awards.

On a song called “Someone Took the Words” written by Elvis Costello, Dawn Clement exposes her lovely voice.  She has her own smokey sound and a vocal style that draws me into this tune like quicksand.

“Tokudo” is an original composition by Buster Williams. It swings medium tempo across my listening room with Clement exploring all eighty-eight keys during her improvisation.  Williams makes the strings of his double bass sing as he skips across them, sometimes adding harmony to the mix. Matt Wilson is given time to shine on his trap drums, I can almost hear the unique melody of this tune in the rhythms that he plays. This is a wonderful album, inspired and inventive.

“I’ll never forget the moment at the end of the session when the last note drifted into silence. Buster turned to Matt with a smile and said, “Matthew, this has been a delight,” Dawn recalled.

So, what better title for this exquisitely produced album than “Delight.”  I found great comfort, inspiration and enjoyment in each and every song and arrangement.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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