For those not aware, Being is pianist Chris Rottmayer’s fourth album (and due out March 8th, 2024 via Shifting Paradigm Records). It’s a collection of original music, written as part of a study of pianist Mulgrew Miller and his recordings with the Woody Shaw Quintet.

Joining him on this album are Russ Johnson on trumpet and flugelhorn, Matt Endres on drums, and jazz master Rufus Reid on acoustic bass. The skillful compositions and virtuosic performances on BEING weave an exotic and mysterious tapestry that explores Miller and Shaw’s harmonic and modal concepts.

1. On the Street Where Woody Lives
2. Re-United
3. Pigalle
4. Chatelet
5. Autumn Evening
6. Song of Modes
7. Ballerina Dance
8. La Seizieme
9. Pont Neuf
10. Rue des Lombards

This deliciously-sculpted new recording opens on the veritably overflowing with a charged spirit alongside a tact driven to delight On the Street Where Woody Lives and the swirling Re-United and they are then followed by the sheer elegance of Pigalle, the laid low, yet vibrantly all-embracing Chatelet, and then we get the languishing Autumn Evening.

Along next is the methodically-sculpted, and melodically-hued Song of Modes and the flourishing Ballerina Dance and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the cushioned La Seizieme, the album rounding out on the veritable dreamy gossamer Pont Neuf, coming to a close on the free-flowing Rue des Lombards.

Musicians:
Chris Rottmayer - Piano
Russ Johnson - Trumpet and Flugel Horn
Rufus Reid - Acoustic Bass
Matt Endres - Drums

Official Purchase Link

www.chrisrottmayer.com