[Note - on the eve of this review, Beyond the Wall was nominated for a Grammy! Good luck Kenny! - Kenny Garrett will be appearing live in Houston at 5757 Westheimer, Dec 8 and 9 at 7:30 and 9:30 pm. - Get Tickets]

One of the most exciting developments in jazz in the last 10 years is the evolution of ethnic hybrid jazz by artists such as Brad Shepik, Skulli Sverrisson, Chris Speed, Jim Black, Geoff Keezer, Yuri Yemeshev, John Zorn and others. Many of these artists have explored Eastern European and Arabic sounds within the improvisational jazz format, and Keezer expertly mixes in Japanese culture (having lived there for a period of time.) Even more commercial artists such as Sting and Madonna (yes her name has appeared in a jazz review - sorry) have successfully blended ethnic melodies and rhythmic patterns into music that is acceptable to the American palette. Add Kenny Garrett to that number.

Garrett is a fiery alto player whose music has excited me since African Exchange Student in 1990, and his latest CD Beyond the Wall was inspired partly by his recent travels in China, when he immersed himself in Chinese culture for 3 weeks; not to master it, but to sample it. His long-time fascination with the culture culminated in a trip on which he chose not to stay at Western hotels, but instead sought to get closer to the true local culture, and language.

Much of the Grammy-nominated CD sounds to be from the American core of jazz that Garrett fans have come to love, featuring American heavies such as Brian Blade on drums, Mulgrew Miller on piano, Bobby Hutcherson, and Pharaoh Sanders. Garrett often leans on the experience of his mentors, as he did on the recording Pursuance: The Music of John Coltrane. Beyond the Wall is dedicated to McCoy Tyner, one of primary architects of modern modal jazz, and a longstanding musical colleague of Coltrane.

On this latest recording, Garrett branches out on a few songs, introducing Asian melodies and instruments in a fresh way, and the results are deeply satisfying. The addition of a traditional Chinese violin, a Tibetan choir in "Realization," and the voice of Nedelka Echols on "Qing Wen" make this a truly unique sounding Kenny Garrett recording that is a worthwhile addition to any serious jazz library.

LINKS:

Garrett was the Chronicle's top Entertainment pick for the weekend

Even has his own page at Wiki encyclopedia! How cool is that?

Kenny's Google page

Kenny Garrett Home Page

Ted Kurland's Artist Profile

All About Jazz Review