Few contemporary jazz pianists and composers could claim to be as distinguished as Sorin Zlat; the name leading the vanguard within the new generation of Romanian artists. With the Sorin Zlat Trio, he uses every ounce of his pedigree and emotionally guided intuition to orchestrate works of pure escapist beguilement, and their latest piece, Bye, Bye Sparrow, feels alive with that restless imagination.
The composition interrupts the rhythms of nature through exuberant time signatures, as though you are viewing a naturescape in a parallel world where everything moves with swathes of zeal and ardour. There is a fantastical lift to the trio’s interplay, with piano lines darting through the arrangement like bright creatures crossing the undergrowth, while the rhythm section keeps the piece agile, spirited and richly animated. Rather than smoothing the wildness out, Sorin Zlat allows the track to retain its sense of motion, making the listener feel as though the landscape is changing shape beneath them.
That sophistication sits naturally within Zlat’s wider reputation. A Yamaha Jazz Artist, composer, university professor and decorated international performer, he has collected over 30 awards, including major prizes at Montreux, Monaco and Jacksonville, while performing in venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, Birdland and Smalls. His sphere brushes against the imagination of Chick Corea, the lyrical daring of Hiromi and the modern jazz fire associated with Joey Alexander.
Bye, Bye Sparrow turns contemporary jazz into a living ecosystem, full of movement, colour and escapist charge.
The live recording of Bye, Bye Sparrow is now available to stream on YouTube.
Review by Amelia Vandergast
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