Review: Ragtime and much more from jazz pianist Emmet Cohen
Stride provides a starting point on jazz pianist Emmet Cohen’s new album
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Emmet Cohen, "Future Stride” (Mack Avenue Records)
Stride provides a starting point on jazz pianist Emmet Cohen's new album. The opening cut, “Symphonic Raps,” is a New Orleans ragtime tune recorded by Louis Armstrong nearly a century ago, and Cohen plays it as though his piano is rolling downhill, accelerating until he leaves the rhythm section behind.
That momentum sends Cohen on an exploration of other jazz stylings, with stride as an antecedent and recurring reference point. Common threads on “Future Stride” include swinging, often unpredictable rhythms, inventive interplay and wit.
Take, for example, the title cut. Written by Cohen and drummer Kyle Poole, it's a joyful swirl with shifting tempos, including a cowboy saunter and a three-way conversation that also includes bassist Russell Hall.
The beat is also big on another Cohen original, “You Already Know." It's bebop given extra propulsion by trumpeter Marquis Hill and saxophonist Melissa Aldana, who both sit in on several cuts.
Hill overdubs a second trumpet for call and response on the prayerful, lyrical closer “Little Angel.” The final chord leaves the tune unresolved, suggesting more to come. As the album title might suggest, “Future Stride" ends with Cohen looking ahead.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.