Jazz Police - Myron Walden's Momentum at Smoke in New York, January 29-30

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Thursday, 18 March 2010

Myron Walden's Momentum at Smoke in New York, January 29-30

Written by Ronaldo Oregano
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Myron Wadlen © Paul Elledge Myron Walden has achieved acclaim with his dynamic, propulsive and evocative jazz compositions, and on Friday, January 29th and Saturday, January 30th he will bring his quintet for two nights at New York City's Smoke. Myron Walden's 'Momentum' is a quintet featuring Myron on tenor joined by Darren Barrett on trumpet, Eden Ladin on piano, Yasushi Nakamura on bass, and John Davis on drums. They will be performing Myron's compositions from his new release Momentum. Inspired by the Miles Davis band of the 1960s, the music allows the band to create their own momentum, with insight and reference to Miles, Wayne Shorter, and Herbie Hancock, resulting in a quintet bristling with energy. Myron Walden was born in Miami, Florida on October 18, 1972, moving with his mother to the Bronx at age 12, and grew up listening to a wide range of rhythm and blues, blues, soul, and gospel music. Shortly after the move, as Myron's uncle was listening to a recording of Charlie Parker's 'One Night in Washington,' young Myron was profoundly moved by the music and, hearing the uncle exclaim "Tell it Bird!," he immediately knew that music was his calling and that music would be his voice. During the 1990s, Myron established his credentials as a performer in New York's jazz scene, and was a fixture at the legendary Small's, a fertile ground for the nurturing of new jazz talent. As he shared the stage with Nat Adderley, Freddie Hubbard, Wynton Marsalis, and Roy Hargrove, his stature as a performer grew. Myron also developed his skills as a composer and, during this period, his compositions were recorded by Antoine Roney, Ravi Coltrane, Vincent Herring, Carl Allen and Winard Harper. In 1996, Myron's debut album, 'Hypnosis,' was released to great critical acclaim, followed in 1999 by 'Like a Flower Seeking the Sun,' both from NYC Records. In 2002, 'Higher Ground' premiered, with 'This Way' appearing in 2005. The latter were released on Fresh Sound New Talent Records. Myron composed and arranged original music for all four recordings. All About Jazz and the Jazz Journalist Association named 'This Way' as one of the Top Ten records of 2005. In addition to developing his voice and profile as a leader, Myron has had the good fortune to belong to two bands of particular meaning to him and significance to American music. In 1997, Myron joined the Brian Blade Fellowship Band at its inception, and he continues to record and perform with the group today. Myron's soulful, passionate solos on the alto saxophone and bass clarinet are frequently cited as moving and exciting parts of this ensemble's performances and Brian has credited Myron's voice as one of his inspirations for his compositions. In 2003 Myron joined the late Ray Barretto's band. With that band, Myron not only recorded and performed, but also composed and arranged. In fact, Barretto's final GRAMMY-nominated album, 'Time Was - Time Is,' released in 2005, featured two of Myron's compositions, including the title track. Myron served as the arranger for one of the tracks on that album that particularly moved both fans and critics, "Motherless Child." In addition, in 1996 Myron joined as an original member of the New Jazz Composers Octet, for whom he continues to compose, record and perform today. The New Jazz Composers Octet featured Freddie Hubbard at the time of his passing. Myron is also pursuing his musical journey as a leader with multiple projects. One feature of the newer projects is that he is playing predominantly the tenor saxophone. A few years ago the compositions Myron was beginning to write took on a deeper voice. Although Myron's alto voice is very full, he committed to developing his tenor playing, to better serve the music. This allowed him to add a new voice to his rapidly developing compositions, and to diversify his sound with a refreshed voice that lends depths of feeling to his creative new music. Smoke is located at 2751 Broadway, Manhattan, www.smokejazz.com. Three sets each night at 8, 10 and 11:30 pm. Cover $30 with $20 minimum, (212) 864-6662. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites

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