JazzWrap revisits a great year of discoveries in 2011.
Kris Davis (piano)
Aeriol Piano (Clean Feed; 2011)
A solo performance from Kris Davis is something not to be missed. On Aeriol Piano, Davis deploys various themes and imagery that are both spellbinding and invigorating. She improvises and moves with dense angles that lead you on a complicated journey but its one that will surprise you.
The complexity of Davis' compositions are sometimes reminiscent of Keith Jarrett or Friedrich Gulda. High praise but Kris Davis is the real deal. Just as John Escreet is creating modern ideas that are moving jazz forward; Kris Davis is moving the idea of free-jazz and minimalism is can go either further.