Tag Archive: Myra Melford


…Recorded live at Chicago’s legendary Green Mill, Open or Close gathers compositions from all four members — saxophonist Geof Bradfield, clarinetist Ben Goldberg, pianist Myra Melford, and drummer Dana Hall — who, having crossed musical paths before in several contexts, make a remarkable debut as a group here.
Ornette Coleman’s “Open or Close” is the stunning opener, showcasing a memorable eight-note riff that gradually evolves into staccato activity resembling rhythmic shocks of vibrant color. Initially, Melford constructs melodies around that riff, with Hall’s percussive driving force as her sole support. Goldberg’s sinewy clarinet phrasing also prompts quick responses from the drummer and effective comping from…

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Bristling with virtuosity and detail, Katarahi, marks the second duo release by pianists Satoko Fujii and Myra Melford, two artists with a tremendous capacity for invention and improvised storytelling. The title, a Japanese word meaning a heart-to-heart conversation between intimate friends, could hardly better reflect their work here, as they enjoy an equal share of the music-making. Neither is busier nor more commanding than the other. Instead, they integrate their ideas seamlessly, creating textures, motions, and atmospheres that speak directly to their identities as musicians. The pieces on this album were recorded live at Jazzfestival Leibnitz in 2024.
Melford’s “Interlude I” balances volatility and pacification, relying on prepared piano and a four-note motif that continually reshapes…

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