Pianist meets ultimate test
March 16, 2007
Jon Ballantyne; Avenue Standard
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Born in Prince Albert, Sask., pianist Jon Ballantyne was raised in Saskatoon and learned jazz piano from his father. Both parents were jazz enthusiasts, so Ballantyne grew up surrounded by the music of Miles Davis, Monk, Bill Evans and Duke Ellington. He first heard Oscar Peterson live at the age of seven.
This CD, nominated for a Juno award in the traditional jazz album of the year category is a solo piano effort. In addition to two originals, Ballantyne takes on such standards as I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Without a Song, Stardust, Oleo, Cry Me A River, the Days of Wine and Roses, Gee Baby Ain’t I Good to You as well as a couple of Monk tunes, Bemsha Swing and Mysterioso.
Ballantyne does not just “play” these tunes. He weaves in and out of them, skirts them, flirts with them, leans into the melody and then goes off on his own “commentary.” In his hands, these tunes are transformed into something new — held up and examined, as it were. Turned this way and that so that every possible angle of the tune is exposed and considered.
It is a formidable task, and possibly the ultimate test of a piano player’s skills, to hold an audience playing solo piano for an extended time. Ballantyne does this. He adds so many twists and turns, has so many technical and musical resources in his palate that at no time does this CD fail to keep your attention.
He can be dazzlingly technical, such as in the opener, Bemsha Swing and breathtakingly gentle and reflective, such as in his rendition of Stardust. He is playful and witty, which he shows in full force on his amazing rendition of Rollins romper Oleo as well as highly sensitive and introspective.
At a young age, Ballantyne won a scholarship to the prestigious North Texas State University where he had opportunity to play with the likes of Elvin Jones, Ron Carter, Michael Brecker and Joe Henderson.
In the mid-eighties he attended the jazz workshops at the Banff Centre studying with the likes of Dave Holland, Dave Leibman, Lee Konitz, Cecil Taylor, Kenny Wheeler and Phil Nimmons. He also studied in New York City with Kenny Barron, Hal Galper and JoAnn Brackeen.
In 1989, Ballantyne’s album Skydance with tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson won a Juno Award for jazz album of the year.
Ballantyne is based in New York City where he plays with many of the top players on the jazz scene as well as his own quartet with Boris Kozlov, Jeff Hirshfield and Douglas Yates.
This is a CD that marks the measure of a major player, both technically and in his musical concepts and depth. It will remain fresh and interesting after many listenings and is a worthy contender for best traditional jazz album of the year.
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