In Deep End Dance

In Deep End Dance
Studio album by
Released2002
RecordedApril 10–13, 2002
StudioStudio Litho, Seattle, Washington
GenreFree jazz
Length1:02:02
LabelConduit Records
CR 1301
ProducerBeck Henderer-Peña, Julian Priester
Julian Priester chronology
Hints on Light and Shadow
(1997)
In Deep End Dance
(2002)
Portraits and Silhouettes
(2007)

In Deep End Dance is an album by trombonist Julian Priester. It was recorded during April 10–13, 2002, at Studio Litho in Seattle, Washington, and was released later that year by Conduit Records. On the album, Priester is joined by pianist Dawn Clement, double bassist Geoff Harper, and drummer Byron Vannoy. The recording features five Priester originals plus one composition by each band member.[1][2][3]

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Penguin Guide to Jazz[4]

Marshall Bowden of PopMatters included the recording in his list of the top 10 albums of 2002, calling it a "disc that demands something of the listener... a gem, with compositions that help showcase [Priester's] inventive playing as well as the energetic work of his young group."[5]

The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings noted that "there is a spiritual cast to the music," and described the album as "a highly expressive set, veering between the open, improvisational forms that [Priester] helped pioneer in the '70s and a more obviously expressive style."[4]

Writing for JazzTimes, Doug Ramsey stated that the album "is evidence that as [Priester] went further out he kept a grip on fundamentals," and commented: "In Deep End Dance meets a fundamental requirement of music with staying power: The more you listen, the more you hear."[6]

In an article for All About Jazz, Jerry D'Souza called the album "a stimulating piece of work," and noted that Priester's "impulses are well corralled and he does not somersault into excess, or for that matter go anywhere near it."[7] Another AAJ reviewer remarked: "Very rarely can one boast of a recording that deserves attention from start to finish. Priester's In Deep End Dance is such a rarity."[8]

One Final Note's Joe Milazzo noted that Priester is "in such fine voice throughout," and wrote: "the more you listen, the more clear it becomes that the entire album is a celebration of what Albert Ayler called spiritual unity, not political solidarity. This in itself is rare in contemporary improvised music that promotes a social agenda, where preaching often supplants the provision of creative, useful examples."[9]

Track listing

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  1. "In Deep" (Julian Priester) – 7:09
  2. "Captured Imaginations" (Julian Priester) – 6:48
  3. "Blues Sea" (Julian Priester) – 12:07
  4. "Ecumene" (Julian Priester) – 5:37
  5. "Thin Seam of Dark Blue Light" (Geoff Harper) – 6:56
  6. "Mejatoto" (Byron Vannoy) – 8:12
  7. "A Delicate Balance" (Dawn Clement) – 8:12
  8. "End Dance" (Julian Priester) – 6:08

Personnel

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  • Julian Priester – trombone
  • Dawn Clement – piano
  • Geoff Harper – double bass
  • Byron Vannoy – drums

References

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  1. ^ "Julian Priester: In Deep End Dance". AllMusic. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  2. ^ "Julian Priester - In Deep End Dance". Jazz Music Archives. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  3. ^ "Julian Priester discography". JazzLists. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. Penguin Books. pp. 1184–1185.
  5. ^ Bowden, Marshall (December 16, 2002). "Best Music of 2002". PopMatters. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  6. ^ Ramsey, Doug (December 1, 2002). "Julian Priester: In Deep End Dance". JazzTimes. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  7. ^ D'Souza, Jerry (December 8, 2002). "Julian Priester: In Deep End Dance". All About Jazz. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  8. ^ "Julian Priester: In Deep End Dance". All About Jazz. February 4, 2003. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  9. ^ Milazzo, Joe (February 2, 2004). "Julian Priester: In Deep End Dance (Conduit)". One Final Note. Retrieved April 30, 2023.