COLIN HESHMAT

ELASTIC GROOVE

HMC Records

Colin Hesmat, piano; Ben Cliness, drums; Yuma Takagi, double bass; Ryo Sasaki, trumpet.

Colin Heshmat grew up in Springfield, Illinois.  He studied at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, learning engineering as one discipline, accompanied by his study to expand his love of music. Ultimately, he chose music as a career.

In 2019, the jazz pianist moved to New York City, keeping his love of the Straight-ahead jazz tradition and studying with masters like Fred Hersch, Barry Harris and Donald Vega.

This is Colin Heshmat’s debut album, “Elastic Groove” with a title that paints a picture of the snap and stretch of elastic, exemplified through his music. This quartet blends post-bop with a Straight-ahead spirit, while also adding a youthful, contemporary groove to seven original compositions that Heshmat has written.

Opening with “Sea Breeze” the group displays a rhythm-driven experience that creates a conversation between instrumentalists, propelled by Ben Cliness on trap drums, ticking out the rhythm. Ryo Sasaki’s trumpet sets the contemporary tone and unfolds the melody using beautiful colors.

As a young, vibrant, rising star on the New York Jazz horizon, pianist Colin Heshmat and his group celebrate his composing talents. At the same time, they also show deep respect for traditional jazz and the high standards that come with that tradition.

I enjoyed “Centre Street Theme I.” For me, it painted a musical picture of the energy and busy streets of New York. However, I learned from his press package that this song was inspired after Heshmat served on jury duty.  His bassist, Yuma Takagi, soaks up the spotlight during his improvised solo.

Heshmat’s tune, “Morning in Midtown” is played in 5/4 time, slowly and with much passion. This is followed by two familiar jazz standards, “Just Friends” and kenny Dorham’s “Blue Bossa.”

I enjoyed the up-tempo arrangement of his original song, “Ember” where Ryo Sasaki soars on trumpet.

Here is a quartet of fine musicians, who harness their talents to the compositions of Colin Heshmat and race across space, introducing each tune with excitement and finesse.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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