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Open Space Quartet — Suite N. 2 for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio - Claude Bolling
(Black Widow BRZ 901, 2015, CD)

by Henry Schneider, Published 2015-11-17

Suite N. 2 for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio - Claude Bolling Cover art

The Open Space Quartet is a free improvisational band with Carlo Bordini (drums) and Pino Sallusti (contrabass) from the reformed Cherry Five accompanied by Cinzia Gizzi (piano) and Iolanda Zignani (flute). Their approach to music is based on Harrison Owen’s Open Space method for business meetings. There are four principles and one law. The principles are (1) whoever shows up are the right people, (2) whenever it starts is the right time, (3) wherever it is, is the right place, and (4) whatever happens is the only thing that could have, be prepared to be surprised! And the law is whenever it is over, its over. I am not real sure how this works in a musical context, but I guess that these principles make some sense for improvisation. Also not being at all familiar with Claude Bolling and his compositions, I have no reference points on the Open Space Quartet’s interpretation of this piece of music. The result is roughly one hour of music spread across the eight movements. Each movement is characterized by fast jazzy rhythmic pieces that alternate with calm classical music melodic parts. I much prefer the classical music interludes to the jazz passages, even though there are some virtuosic flute and piano runs. Some of the jazz passages are what I would consider to be cocktail jazz, not at all interesting to me. The one movement that stood out for me was the seven and a half minute “Pastorale.”

Filed under: New releases, 2015 releases

Related artist(s): Cherry Five, Claude Bolling, Open Space Quartet

 

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