"The Dorothy Wallace Suite" is a captivating duo album featuring the masterful interplay between American piano virtuoso Ran Blake and Danish drum innovator Kresten Osgood. Released on October 20, 2017, under the ILK Music label, this 39-minute journey through the realms of free jazz, vocal jazz, and traditional jazz is a testament to the timeless chemistry between these two extraordinary musicians, despite their 40-year age difference.
The album is a 17-track suite that tells a story through music, with each piece contributing to a larger narrative. Ran Blake's evocative piano work is complemented by Kresten Osgood's inventive drumming, creating a soundscape that is both intimate and expansive. The suite begins with "Symphony in Green" and takes the listener through a series of vignettes, each with its own unique character and mood. Tracks like "Vera Fuller," "Ricky Ford at Logan," and "Bruni" showcase the duo's ability to blend improvisation with composition, while "Pannonica" and "Mood Indigo" offer nods to the jazz standards that have influenced Blake's career.
The album also features vocal performances on tracks like "Who," "Dancing in the Dark," and "Never Can Say Goodbye (Dorothy)," adding another layer of depth to the suite. Blake's compositions are rich with imagery and emotion, drawing the listener into a world where every note tells a story. Whether you're a longtime fan of Ran Blake or a newcomer to his work, "The Dorothy Wallace Suite" is a compelling exploration of jazz's boundless possibilities, showcasing the enduring power of collaboration and the magic that happens when two great musicians come together.
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