Sound Travels

He’s arguably the greatest living drummer in the music, member of the original Charles Lloyd Quartet, anchor of Miles Davis’s greatest fusion ensembles of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, and for more than a quarter-century a linchpin of the Keith Jarrett Standards Trio. For almost this entire time, he has also been a leader of his own ensembles, making some of the most forward-looking and organically sound music in all of jazz, and playing distinctive and original piano in addition to his better-known percussion work.

Several of his best friends and collaborators have joined him on Sound Travels, sure to be recognized as one of the most creative and joyfully rendered albums of 2012. Jack paints with an eclectic and colorful palette, so this collection moves from Latin grooves (‘Luisito Serena Salsa’), to a kinetic West Indian workout (’Sonny Light', a tribute to Mr. Rollins), to a haunting partnership with vocal genius Bobby McFerrin (‘Oneness’), and an impressionistic piano meditation (‘Home’).

Mixed in are modern jazz pieces of towering strength and drive: ‘New Muse’ and ‘Indigo Dreamscape’. Finally, there’s ‘Dirty Ground’ a great tune with lyrics and vocals by Bruce Hornsby, that works in beautifully with the feeling of this entire collection.

On January 10, 2012, Jack DeJohnette was recognised as a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for The Arts in a special ceremony at Lincoln Center in New York City. ‘Sound Travels’ is a true celebration coinciding with this event, a definitive portrait of a true musical immortal whose music is a fresh and vital statement of 21st Century jazz artistry.