One of the great young jazz “lions” currently offering adventurous hope for the future of our beloved art form, pianist Eric Bell brings a sea of accolades to his wildly eclectic, sonically challenging debut Vulnerability. He’s won a best soloist award at the Chicago jazz competition, earned the piano chair position for Jeff Hamilton’s young artist trio and has received multiple awards for his arranging and composing. He’s also worked extensively with instrumental groups and vocal jazz choirs as well as gospel, country and blues ensembles.
The key to embracing his solo artistry is understanding that he’s on his own journey and truly fed up with elder jazz musicians who come across as elitist in assuming they are the gatekeepers and tastemakers. Truly saving the best for last, his final track, a the funky, feisty and rambunctious jam performed with his hipster trio of Cole Sainburg (bass) and Nico Vasquez (drums), tells those old guarders: “I Didn’t Need You Anyway.” Interestingly on the other hand, Bell enjoys creating fascinating intricate and sometimes offbeat soundscapes around his core trio sound to pay homage to several top influences.
Chief among these is Hugh Masekela, whose unique vibe and polyrhythmic energy inspires Bell and company to introduce an offbeat, mood swinging version of “The Way You Look Tonight” with heavy duty percussion patterns, which drive the snappy, exotic arrangement throughout. Bell loves the way Wayne Shorter once said that jazz means “I dare you,” and pays homage to the legend with a dizzying, constantly tempo shifting spin on “Witch Hunt,” which showcases Bell’s stellar way with unexpected improvisations with his bustling trio.
By its title, “Hans” is definitely a tribute to film composer Hans Zimmer, but Bell throws in his trademark percussive swells and tempo changes to simultaneously tip his cap to bassist Avishai Cohen. While the ambient sonic oddities of the opening track “Start” reveal that Bell will try just about anything, by the time he gets to the soulful title track, he’s in a traditional jazz ballad mindset, creating pure beauty with saxophonist Eric Hirschorn. The two follow that gem with swinging trad jazz fun of “Beautiful Love.”
Offering up his own Vulnerability, Eric Bell sets the tone for what promises to be an inspiring career where nothing is off limits.
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