Maria Grand, Camila Nebbia, Marta Sánchez, Kanoa Mendenhall, Iago Fernández – ‘Altered Visions’

Lilaila Records, the new record label set up by saxophonists, Maria Grand  and Camila Nebbia plus pianist Marta Sánchez, is dedicated to work that brings musicians from different backgrounds together .

The label’s first release, Altered Visions, features the three founders of the label plus bass player Kanoa Mendenhall – born in Japan, but raised in California – and drummer Iago Fernández.  All five members of the group are young  players already making their mark on the contemporary jazz scene. 

The recording came about because all five happened to be in Basel between gigs and were enthusiastic about playing together.  Their aim was to celebrate togetherness and there is a considerable amount of collective improvisation on the only track on the album, the 33-minute Wild Marks.

A 33-minute straight-through track might seem a little daunting for an online or CD listener as compared with a live situation.  That said, my experience was that the playing is varied, and moves between so many different approaches that it definitely does hold the listeners interest.  More than that: there is some really fine playing.

As is often the case with free improvisation, the music constantly changes and goes through a series of episodes: mostly collective improvisation from all five players, or in duo or trio passages, but also some straightforward soloing with saxophone playing over the rhythm section.  There are also occasional vocals from Maria Grand..  

from https://ukjazznews.com