For those not in the know, Ian Wardenski is a theorist, composer, guitarist, and educator.

As a composer and guitarist, Ian is celebrated for his harmonic aesthetic, which has been described as “warm and complex with colorizations that reflect the modern jazz idiom” – Nolan DeBuke, The Jazz Word.

These harmonic characteristics, as well as Wardenski’s angular and additive approach to melody and rhythm, can be heard throughout his debut album Collective Thoughts, which was released in Spring 2019.

The album features Wardenski’s quintet – an innovative ensemble that combines the aesthetics of a chamber group with the freedom, spontaneity, and improvisation of a small jazz combo. The album also features voice, which is utilized as a wordless instrument on selected compositions.

Wardenski’s current compositions continue to make use of traditional elements, while simultaneously intertwining textural components, such as clusters and bands of sounds.

His immersion in rhythm is also on display, as he continues to explore alternative systems for rhythmic organization.

Indeed, just those very same composition techniques are all now showcased on Wardenski’s second album, Trust released March 22nd, 2022.

1. Before Long
2. Curiosity
3. C Centric
4. Trust
5. Necessity Needs Another Mother
6. 5:02 On Monday
7. Matching Energies [Modulus I]
8. Matching Energies [Modulus II]
9. Matching Energies [Modulus III]

This impeccably orchestrated, simply divine, atmospherically, yet at all times tonally and ornately charged new recording opens on the upbeat and jaunty melodies of Before Long and the late night, languishing rhythms of Curiosity and follows those up with the upright bass and drum-led funk vibes of C Centric, the almost-ethereally haunting title track Trust, before bringing us both the free flowing, guitar-imbibed Necessity Needs Another Mother and then come the layered sensibilities of 5:02 On Monday.

The remainder of the album focuses on the three-part Matching Energies, where each Modulus (the remainder after dividing one number by another in Math) allows each component of the trilogy to organically grow. Opening on the gently furtive Part I, it then bleeds into the languishing, eight-minute Part II, coming to an almost righteous close on the surreptitious Part III.

The Ian Wardenski Quintet is an innovative ensemble that combines the aesthetics of a chamber group with the freedom, spontaneity, and improvisation of a small jazz combo.

Trust is the second album from TWQ, featuring Tamara Tucker. Wardenski’s angular and addictive approach to melody and rhythm can one again be heard throughout the album.

Furthermore, and as aforementioned, his fascination with textural components, such as clusters, and his immersion in rhythmic organization are on full display.

Musicians:
Ian Wardenski - guitar
Mercedes beckman - alto sax
Jerry Ascione - piano
Amy Shook - bass
Frank Russo - drums
Tamara Tucker - voice

Official Website