Feng shui—the Chinese art of physical arrangements—says that a garden is perfect when no item can be removed without diminishing its substance. Woodwind grand-master Charles Lloyd's song release, "Defiant, Tender Warrior," is a lot like feng shui in this respect. This minimalist gem blends suggestive flurries on tenor sax, ethereal reflections on piano, and a steady thrum on acoustic bass and drum kit. The treatment is so delicate that you are fully attuned to the full minute-long crescendo that begins at 1:55. To achieve this overall effect, it should be no wonder that Lloyd has brought together world-class talent—Jason Moran on piano, Larry Grenadier on acoustic bass and Brian Blade on drums. Sometimes the most refined ballads are the quietest.
Contact Scott Lichtman on All About Jazz.
Jazz/fusion keyboardist & autograph collector in Stamford CT.
Contribute to Play This! Recommend a favorite song, album, or performance and we'll share it with your fellow All About Jazz readers. Submit it here.
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
Go Ad Free!
To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
We sent a confirmation message to . Look for it, then click the link to activate your account. If you don’t see the email in your inbox, check your spam, bulk or promotions folder.
Contact Scott Lichtman on All About Jazz.
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
