Joe Lovano, Marilyn Crispell & Carmen Castaldi
Garden of Expression
Following up his 2019 ECM debut, Trio Tapestry, tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano reunites with two of the finest improvisers in the field on Garden of Expression. Pianist Marilyn Crispell and drummer Carmen Castaldi lend their sensitivity and attuned instincts to this set of eight Lovano originals, soaring over expansive, out-of-tempo soundscapes akin to those of the previous album. It’s a language of lyrical melody and open space, with rich, unfolding harmony from the piano and sparse texture and flow from the drums and cymbals—not to mention the gongs that Lovano introduces on “Garden of Expression,” “Treasured Moments,” and the closer, “Zen Like.” Playing a bit of soprano sax and tárogató as well, Lovano covers a spectrum, from the impressionistic modernism of “Night Creatures” to the almost medieval-sounding structures of the title track. “Dream on That” raises the temperature and gets busier, a glimmer of free-jazz energy amid a prevailing calm.
About Joe Lovano
Grammy-winning saxophonist, composer and producer Joe Lovano is fearless in finding new modes of artistic expression. With a Grammy Win for his 52nd Street Themes and 14 other nominations, he has won DownBeat Magazine ’s Critics and Readers Polls countless times as Tenor Saxophonist, Musician of the Year, Jazz Album of the Year and Triple Crowns from DownBeat. He has also received numerous awards from Jazz Times and the Jazz Journalists Association for Tenor Saxophone, Album of the Year and Musician of the Year.
The Music of Joe Lovano
Joe's forays into boundless musical formats and styles has built a discography of immense diversity and expression and yet, his unique musical identity is always present and paramount.