Elegy

Beyond being a vocalist of rare purity and daring, Theo Bleckmann is a sound painter who creates what JazzTimes has described aptly as "luminous webs" in music. The German-born New Yorker after appearing on two ECM albums by Meredith Monk and another (A Clear Midnight: Kurt Weill and America) by Julia Hülsmann makes his striking label debut as a leader with Elegy. This album showcases Bleckmann as a composer as much as a singer, with several instrumental pieces voiced by what he calls his "ambient" band of kindred-spirit guitarist Ben Monder, keyboardist Shai Maestro and the subtle rhythm team of Chris Tordini and John Hollenbeck.

Personnel: Theo Bleckmann (voice), Shai Maestro (piano), Ben Monder (guitar), Chris Tordini (double-bass), John Hollenbeck (drums)