Hush Point - Hush Point III '2017

Tracks list

For over four years, the collective ensemble and de facto workshop known as Hush
Point has been developing a unique approach to jazz performance. The quartet of
trumpeter John McNeil, saxophonist Jeremy Udden, bassist Aryeh Kobrinsky and
drummer Anthony Pinciotti have used rehearsal techniques to broaden their
expression and develop a sort of group ESP. This work has produced brilliant
compositions that require a high level of musicianship and group interplay. Hush
Point’s evolution can be heard on their innovative third recording, Hush
Point III. 

Hush Point’s initial blueprint was clarinetist/conceptualist Jimmy
Giuffre’s spare tune “Iranic.” They adopted the entirely
acoustic lineup of woodwind, trumpet, bass and brushed drums, along with a very
specific vibe generated by limiting dynamics in the drums to accentuate the
sonic possibilities of the horns and bass. 

Though Hush Point was created with a specific aural world in mind, the ensemble
has continued to push itself into new territories, both in sound and in
composition. Hush Point III finds the ensemble exploring new sonorities,
including the addition of Kobrinsky’s new tuning in fifths (a rarity for
bassists), certain percussion effects enlisted by Pinciotti and Udden’s
expanded saxophone arsenal, which includes C-melody and straight alto. The
compositions presented are their farthest reaching yet. Among the
ensemble’s eccentric but experimental jazz repertoire, there are pieces
that borrow from rock balladry, Ethiopian bar music and country and western. 

Hush Point has matured over its lifetime and Hush Point III should be considered
its most complete statement of purpose and direction. In creating this
recording, the members were conscious of song length and sequencing to emulate
the feel of a long playing record, even positioning the track
“PG-13” as the lead off to the B-side. 

The recording begins with the singular “Rhythm Method,” the piece
composed of improvised melodies and harmonies over rhythms written out by
McNeil, which remarkably coalesced into a free AABA form. McNeil’s
“Wilbur” is one of Hush Point’s oldest tunes and a tribute to
Wilbur Harden. The piece directly references the vibe of Harden’s
well-known tune “Wells Fargo.” Kobrinsky’s “It’s
a Pocketbook” is a straight country and western hoedown with intriguing
solo patterns based on some improvised give-and-take developed during
rehearsals. 

The percussive “Azmari Bar” stems from an experience Udden had while
traveling in Ethiopia with Either/Orchestra when he discovered Azmari music,
which is a sort of improv sprechtstimme that uses bar patrons as topical
subjects with musical accompaniment. The music ends up sounding as though it
would fit well in the loft jazz scene of the 1970s. McNeil’s spritely
“PG-13” is a “traditional” Hush Point tune that utilizes
counterpoint and unique compositional devices, including the staggered entrances
at the beginning. 

The following “Suite” emerged during the sequencing of the
recording, the individual pieces conforming into a certain arch. The
“Suite” begins with McNeil’s “Cautiously
Pessimistic,” a free piece with written melody, which is joined by McNeil
and Kobrinsky’s 16th note phrasing to the Udden led ballad “More
Than You Know,” which concludes with an adventurous solo trumpet cadenza
from McNeil. The “Suite” concludes with the McNeil’s upbeat
and Latin inflected “Snappy.” The recording ends with a simple but
altogether lovely ballad “Journey’s End,” which the ensemble
considers McNeil’s rock ballad torch song. 

Hush Point has continued to grow over its short but prolific existence. The
output continues to keep to the group’s initial concept of broadening
sonic and emotional range by limiting the timbral bombast of amplification and
loud drums. These limitations haven’t lessened the creativity of these
musicians and their creations should be celebrated, including their tremendous
new recording, Hush Point III. 

John McNeil - trumpet 
Jeremy Udden - saxophones 
Aryeh Korbrinsky - bass 
Anthony Pinciotti - drums

01. Hush Point - Rhythm Method (3:40)
02. Hush Point - Wilbur (6:56)
03. Hush Point - Its a Pocketbook (2:33)
04. Hush Point - Azmari Bar (6:05)
05. Hush Point - PG-13 (3:26)
06. Hush Point - Suite: Cautiously Pessimistic (3:04)
07. Hush Point - Suite: More Than You Know (6:13)
08. Hush Point - Suite: Snappy (4:38)
09. Hush Point - Journeys End (3:24)

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