Michael Webb received 1st prize in the National Jazz Writing Competition in 2007. This is one of his submitted reviews.

Little Claps is Andrea Keller’s latest quartet album and as we have come to expect from this award winning Melbourne pianist and composer, it is a beautifully conceived work with an awareness of both jazz tradition and aspects of modernist European art music.

The album contains more of Keller’s refined, introspective melody writing, catchy groove-based pieces infused with humour and soulfulness, and several extended pieces that guide the listener through some unexpected harmonic and melodic detours.

While Keller and her players are consistently outstanding on the album, and the long musical association of Keller, Whitehurst and Ball is evident at every turn, it is trumpeter Eugene Ball who shines in new ways. Ball supplements his mellow, cornet-like tone and flexibility and lovely cup mute playing with plaintive, half-valve choked tones ( Moments in Parallel ), a kind of stutter tonguing and timbral distortion ( Lady Geri ), and rapid, unaccompanied free-form melismatic passages ( Singing in a Sinking Ship ). Whitehurst’s tenor jousting with Ball results in a robust and ever interesting counterpoint.

New drummer Joe Talia creates mood and rocks hard, propelling the ensemble with style and wit. Keller’s own playing is technically exciting, processing trad, stride, boogie, bop and soul elements through a classical sensibility, into an original and appealing synthesis.

The gorgeous melodies, complex polyphonic textures and compelling grooves of Little Claps will not disappoint newcomers or those who already delight in Keller’s superlative ensemble writing and distinctive quartet sound. According to the CD liner notes an additional seven tracks from the sessions are available online—definitely worth checking out!

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Hash Varsani is the owner of The Jazz Directory, a network of sites related to jazz, travel and everything else he loves. He also runs a selection of jazz related sites including Jazz Club Jury, a jazz club and festival review site. Check out his Google+ Profile, to see what else he's up to...probably setting up another website from one of his many passions.

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