Daniel Green is a Vancouver-based saxophonist living in Montreal. Roots and Branches paints a meditative, modernist, and highly sophisticated panorama. Over the course of seven elaborate compositions for a small chamber ensemble, Green weaves elusive harmonic textures that support a complex yet very engaging discourse, once one’s attention is fully directed towards it. Far from ambient jazz, we are rather in the realm of Evansian refinement or that associated with the most advanced releases from labels like ECM or ACT Records.
Thanks to its meaty yet clear orchestration, which employs the full range of a large ensemble in a sleek version, Green compels us to listen closely to the very high quality of the melodic and harmonic developments, and the numerous colours that embellish them.
Roots and Branches is a solidly constructed program, more demanding than average, but greatly satisfying when fully immersed in it. Excellent solo performances from all the musicians present, both from Montreal and Amsterdam, where the album was recorded.
Daniel Green – alto sax, compositions
Sam Peetermans – voice
Diana Dzhabbar – alto sax, flute
Antonio Moreno (1-3) – trumpet
Pilvi Kokkonen (5-7) – trumpet
Nick Adema (1-3) – trombone
Willy Bcw (5-7) – trombone
Salome Etter – bass clarinet
Luca Sturny (1-3) – guitar
Francisco Garrido (5-7) guitar
Ida Alanen – piano
Ignacio Pintó- bass
Chen Har-Even – drums
