Nine Rivers

John Blum's "Nine Rivers" is a captivating exploration of free jazz and avant-garde music, released on September 1, 2023, under the esteemed ESP Disk' label. This solo album is a testament to Blum's virtuosity and improvisational prowess, recorded live at the Crosscurrent Festival in Italy. Spanning nine dynamic tracks, each titled after a river, the album clocks in at a concise yet intense 47 minutes. Blum's piano work is raw, powerful, and unapologetically innovative, offering a singular artistic vision at its peak. From the opening notes of "First River" to the final crescendo of "Ninth River," Blum's playing is a blazing journey through the landscapes of his imagination. Fans of avant-garde jazz and those seeking a fresh, unfiltered musical experience will find "Nine Rivers" to be a compelling addition to their collection.

John Blum is a renowned figure in the world of avant-garde jazz, celebrated for his unique and personal approach to piano. Born in New York City in 1968, Blum has been a pivotal member of the city's free jazz community for over two decades. His distinctive style blends the percussive techniques of Cecil Taylor with the linear prowess of McCoy Tyner, creating a sound that is both relentlessly dynamic and deeply expressive. Blum's career is marked by collaborations with some of the most innovative musicians in jazz, including Antonio Grippi, Barry Guy, and David Murray. His discography, though modest in size, is revered by aficionados for its depth and originality. With a technique that is as much about emotional honesty as it is about technical virtuosity, John Blum continues to push the boundaries of jazz, inviting listeners into a world of raw, unfiltered musical exploration.

Nine Rivers

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