Already nearly 50 radio stations are playing tracks from the promising debut disc, “Tomorrow,” by the Aleks Girshevich Trio, which was released today by Dapper Music and welcomed with critical praise along with airplay on 16 new radio stations including Santa Monica’s influential NPR broadcaster KCRW.
There are two unique elements that make the Aleks Girshevich Trio intriguing. A glimpse at the artsy black & white photo adorning the “Tomorrow” cover depicts two men and an 11-year-old boy. The kid is Aleks for whom the chamber jazz trio is named. He’s a prodigious drummer who astounds by innately dispensing complex drum beats and advanced Cuban and Brazilian-influenced percussion polyrhythms that confound and impress jazz masters.
Aleks’ father is Vlad Girshevich, a conservatory trained pianist and composer who emigrated from Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Vlad crafts evocative melodies, classically tinged jazz that is intimate and inviting. He can lure you with a beautiful melody, provoke pondering with contemplative noodling, or captivate with a scholarly musical exploration spanning an expansive array of art and culture. Rooted in Russian classical, Vlad has found a home in jazz where he has performed with Wayne Shorter, Arturo Sandoval and legendary drummer Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez. He penned seven compositions for “Tomorrow” and collaborated with his cohorts to write the closing cut (“Dithering”).
Bridging the two exceptional players is Juilliard trained bassist David Arend, who produced “Tomorrow” during the two-day recording process in San Francisco. Capable of making classical riffs swing with his upright bass, the award-winning Arend is remarkably diverse having played jazz, modern chamber music, electronica, opera, and extensive orchestra gigs with the San Francisco Symphony and world-renown film composers (John Williams, Tan Dun, George Crumb) in addition to collaborating with Ornette Coleman, Bela Fleck, Bobby McFerrin and Carlos Santana.
The Denver-based Girshevichs’ are being shadowed by a documentary film crew focused on the extraordinary relationship and apprenticeship between father and son. The trio hopes to record their sophomore collection this fall.
Below are excerpts from some of the early reviews of the Aleks Girshevich Trio’s “Tomorrow”:
“Tomorrow is an immensely pleasing combination of elegant swing, original craftsmanship, and engaging melodies provided by Vlad.” – All About Jazz
“This is a delightful and evocative hybrid of a musical happy place between jazz and a more modern classical approach…Young Aleks Girshevich is a prodigy in every sense of the word. Aleks Girshevich is fortunate to have his father holding down the position of pianist. Vlad Girshevich has the ability to compose to the skill sets his son possesses, the end result is a brilliant harmonic color palette with a subtle yet intense lyrical direction.” – Critical Jazz
“Pianist and composer Vlad Girshevich is a thrilling and adventurous talent, whilst bassist (and producer) David Arend is an engaging player with a great warm tone. His bass work on ‘Tomorrow’, with its slippery, sliding groove, and his Ron Carter flavored solo on the stand-out track ‘Broken Promises’ are both fabulous. He accredits himself well throughout the album and his playing is a pleasure to listen to.” – Bass Players United
“The ‘Piano Trio’ is usually led by the …drumroll…PIANIST! Aleks Girshevich, however, leads from behind, which might not work for Middle East politics, but definitely is successful here. Along with Vlad Girshevich/p and David Arend/b, he creates some flying sparks on originals such as ‘Strange Memories’ or ‘Broken Promises.’ The leader cajoles his band mates through an exciting and varied display of rolls, paradiddles, hi hats, ride cymbals and changing of meters throughout, keeping everyone alive and alert throughout. A real workshop of being adept at every part of the percussive traps.” – Jazz Weekly
For more information about the Aleks Girshevich Trio, please visit www.aleksgirshevichtrio.com.
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