COMPOSERS: Chizhik
LABELS: NAIVE
PERFORMER: Leonid Chizhik
CATALOGUE NO: DR 2103
Of nearly 90 pianists who took part in the 2002 La Roque d’Anthéron International Piano Festival in Provence, eight gave short recitals (from one hour to 90 minutes) filmed live in partnership with Idéale Audience International. Later the films were shown theatrically, and are now brought out by Naïve as individual DVD releases.
Although the notes accompanying jazz pianist Leonid Chizhik’s recital cite influences like Sergei Rachmaninov and Bill Evans, his original compositions instead suggest Chick Corea’s airy voicings and Keith Jarrett’s darker corners, minus the memorable tunes.
His frequent walking bass lines cultivate a bowed rather than plucked sense of forward drive as they support darting right-hand runs that begin with gusto and definition, then frequently splinter into loose ends. A little of his playing goes a long way, and works best in small doses.