Tobias Meinhart - The Painter

Tobias Meinhart
The Painter
Sunnyside Records

Born in Bavaria, saxophonist Tobias Meinhart established himself in Europe before moving to New York twelve years ago, where he has established himself on the scene. "The Painter" is his second recording for Sunnyside. Meinhart is backed by his core quartet of Eden Ladin (piano), Matt Penman (bass) & Obed Calvaire (drums). They are joined by Ingrid Jensen on trumpet and Charles Altura on guitar. Meinhart wrote most of the ten tracks on this recording.

One can't praise the sterling rhythm section here as they navigate the opening "White Bear," a rhythmically complex post-bop composition with a percolating groove built on an ostinato piano riff and Calvaire's deft drumming. Meinhart displays a most attractive tone here and then on the meditative "Oak Tree," where Jensen adds her gorgeous brass sound while Ladin provides a delicate foundation. Then there is the energy of "Movement," with Meinhart's cotton candy tone matching his crafted, fluid solo. Penman's bass solo introduces the title track, which Meinhart enters with some multiphonic on his horn, transitioning into a gorgeous ballad with Ladin's deft piano and Calvaire's skillful use of brushes supporting Meinhart's outstanding playing.

On "Bird Song," Meinhart opens on alto flute, which leads to a call and response with Jensen, with the leader shifting to tenor sax as the two duet over the rhythm section. Meinhart and Ladin duet on an intimate and outstanding rendition of the Brazilian classic "Estate," again displaying the warmth Meinhart invests his saxophone playing with. After a twirling waltz, "Neowise," there is "Last Dance," which was inspired by the ESPN Michael Jordan documentary. Opening with Meinhart on flute before shifting to tenor sax, this track has a dreamy quality and evokes some early seventies post-bop jazz such as Keith Jarrett's American Quartet.

"Dreamers" is a hymn that Meinhart sings over his serpentine soprano sax, the final track, although Meinhart's strength is as an instrumentalist and not a vocalist. Guitarist Altura and pianist Ladin shine with sparkling solos before Meinhart returns, singing and guitar and sax weave around each other as the track closes. Like the rest of the album, the performance displays the exemplary ensemble interplay along with the focused, often passionate solos on this top-flight recording.
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I received a download to review from a publicist. Here Tobias Meinhart performs "White Bear."