When we describe a person as an “artist” in this space, we almost always mean a musician and a certain instrument and a certain style of music. Paul Hecht, for instance, can accurately be called a “jazz pianist,” but he’s actually an artist in a much broader sense of the word. Trained in poetry and classical violin, Hecht has also worked as an English professor as he’s well-versed in literary works and theater.
So when Hecht endeavored to make this jazz album Pyrography (Ears & Eyes Records), he brings his quest to meld the thoughtfulness of composition with the candidness of improvisation informed by non-jazz arts that also deal in one or the other side of this duality.
To help carry this out, Hecht put together a trio of himself, bassist Ben Dillinger, percussionist Gustavo Cortiñas and – for some tracks – James Davis on trumpet. Together, they make a quietly ambitious album, one that’s self-assured and graceful.
Here, we’re introducing in the video above a number from Pyrography, “Rejoice,” which creates art from bare inputs. It’s a minimal/ambient performance, all done acoustically. The spare, single-line notes from Hecht are at first balanced by the distant, nervous energy coming from Dillinger’s bowed bass. Cortiñas’ percussion isn’t there to provide rhythm; it adds aquatic sonic imagery that makes it seem the piece was performed next to a gently running creek. Individually, each says little but together, they give the listener much more to ponder.
Pyrography will go on sale April 4, 2025. Pre-order/order it from Bandcamp.
