Martina Verhoeven Quintet

Almost a throwback to the glory days of 1970s Free Jazz, Driven’s one lengthy improvisation is played with fire and determination by a pan-European quintet. But with several generations of creative musicians now exploring that style, New Thing excesses have been pared to mature interaction. Consisting of Belgians, pianist Martina Verhoeven and guitarist Dirk Serries, Portuguese bassist Gonçalo Almeida, Dutch drummer Onno Govaert and British alto saxophonist Colin Webster, the five, who are each part of numerous bands, frame the narrative in sections, some of which are prestissimo and pressurized; while others are andante and acquiescent.

Variable textures from reed slurs and slathers and metallic guitar string clicks, drum rolls and double bass quakes are directed and driven by contrasting keyboard dynamics. With this rollercoaster of staccato timbres periodically thrust forward maximum intensity is attained as Webster’s paced multiphonics join percussion rattles and string clips. Reflectively, but not unexpectedly. there are also numerous interludes where the track slows down to highlight arco double bass stropping, keyboard hunting and pecking and restrained reed flutter tonguing. Then the maelstrom is let loose again. Especially prominent are Webster’s ability to balance squally slurs and altissimo peeps and Serries’ leaps from pointed flanges and twangs to  communicative buzzes. Almeida and Govaert keep the proceedings horizontal with stops and ruffs, while Verhoeven’s key clipping, glissandi and penultimate internal piano string vibrations keep the interface sprightly throughout. In face her energetic vibrations and Almeida’s string strumming connect the post-applause improvised coda to the body of the work.

More than an historical aberration, Free Jazz improv has become part of the Jazz continuum. Here Martina Verhoeven’s quintet shows how well it can be done.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Driven

Personnel: Colin Webster (alto saxophone); Martina Verhoeven (piano); Dirk Serries (guitar); Gonçalo Almeida (bass) and Onno Govaert (drums)