GEORGE CROTTY TRIO

HEART MUSIC

Independent Label

George Crotty, cello/composer; John Murchison, bass; Jeremy Smith, percussion.

The cello is one of the most beautiful instruments of the String Family.  I was interested in hearing this trio that features cello as the lead instrument with bass and percussion.

Canadian cellist, George Crotty gets excited about genre bending in his music.  He has played on the video game soundtrack for “Assassin’s Creed Mirage.” Then he toured North America with the award-winning Broadway musical, “The Band’s Visit.”  That shows his pure, musical diversity.

In 2019, Crotty formed his trio in Brooklyn, New York.  The inspiration was to perform multicultural chamber music. This was after Crotty had toured the world and encountered so many musical cultures and experiences that he wanted to include those in his compositions and performances. He found great inspiration from European jazz, as well as Hindustani Raga music.  For a while, he played with the ensemble, “Brooklyn Raga Massive.” Crotty was also a member of the Detroit-based “National Arab Orchestra.”

On the opening tune by this unique trio, “Bandish” you hear the Middle Eastern influence in the original composition by George Crotty.  He has composed all eight songs on this album.  Track #2 is the title tune, “Heart Music.”  Crotty plucks the cello, leaving the melody to bassist John Murchison.  Jeremy Smith propels the tune forward with percussion gusto. I can almost hear Scottish bagpipes in this arrangement.  When the three musicians settle into a sweeping slow groove, Jeremy Smith pushes them forward with a funk drum lick. This is a new type of contemporary jazz. Crotty takes a long and exploratory improvised solo on his cello.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua7idtJSru4

A “Niggun” is described as a prayer without words. This term, and the title of his third song, is an Ashkenazi religious song, usually interpreted by a choir of voices.  Crotty and his trio are strongly influenced by the vibrant music of North Africa. Sometimes Crotty picks the cello strings with his fingertips. This is a right-hand technique used by oud players. You hear this technique vividly on a tune he calls “The Task at Hand.”

The trio’s final song is “Saturn Return.” The arrangement of this Crotty composition employs the 6/9 bar-chord, one that’s inherent to the cello’s turning. George Crotty writes, “Think Debussy learns to samba with two left-feet.”

If you enjoy the unique and unusual application of musical cultures that Crotty marries with jazz, you will enjoy this creative wedding of new music, a merger of contemporary jazz experimentation, world music, and creative compositions.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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