THE HOLLAND COURT JAZZ TRIO

INVERTED TANGO

Composers Concordance /Naxos Records

Frank Wagner, bass/composer; Dave Marck, piano/composer; Dave Meade, drums; Ben Sutin, violin.

In 1998, bassist Frank Wagner and drummer David Meade worked together to release their award-winning album, “Past, Present & Future.”  They reunite on this album called “Inverted Tango” as part of the Holland Court Jazz Trio.  The trio opens with a Wagner original composition and the album title.  “Inverted Tango” is a mysterious minor-mode tango tune whose melody draws me in and has me humming along.

The second tune on this album is an original by the pianist, Dave Marck.  I immediately hear his Thelonious Monk influence in the melody, style, and character.  The Dave Meade drums remind me of New Orleans.  This is another excellent composition and arrangement by the Holland Court Jazz Trio.

The phrase “Inverted Tango” (also the title of this album) refers to a technique in the traditional Argentine dance form.  It’s when the roles of leader and follower are switched.  This Holland Court Jazz Trio has embraced inspiration from this reversal of roles and used it in their presentation to create a fresh new sound.

Each song rolls off my CD player with unique fresh arrangements and excellent musicianship.  They feature Ben Sutin on violin. He appears on the first and third track.  Track #3 is titled “Phrygian Natural Six” composed by Wagner.  He opens the piece with a double bass solo that is richly creative.  It also spotlights his mastery of this instrument.  When the others join him, they create a mood of pensiveness with piano classical overtones. The violin adds a chamber music quality to their production.  When Meade’s percussive agility changes the mood and tempo to a Latin tango, the violin dances wildly above the rhythm.

The only cover tune is the Billy Strayhorn standard, “A Flower is a Lovesome Thing.”  This too has been transformed into a bluesy tango arrangement.  It’s very beautifully played and the melody fits perfectly into the tango mold.

This record is world music that celebrates the Argentina tango style and the culture they proudly represent.  There is also celebration of Italian culture during the presentation of “Domenica Canta,” a tune inspired by a recent visit Frank Wagner made to a Southern Italian Chapel, with the voices of a choir of nuns stuck in his brain.  The result is this lovely composition.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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