Roberto Magris & Eric Hochberg first connected in 2018 when Magris went to Chicago for his Suite! project. The Italian pianist and the Chicago-based bassist hit it off immediately, and Magris was determined to make more music with him. The result is the inspiring Shuffling Ivories, which Magris characterizes as his “personal tribute ... to African Americans who gave birth to jazz.” With a body of work that so far totals more than 30 albums in a variety of contexts, Magris has established himself as a stellar modern pianist, steeped in the blues and always swinging. Hochberg has been an active presence on the Chicago scene for decades, known for his solid time-keeping and lovely tone. As a team, their rapport is palpable from the start and clearly dedicated to beauty. It’s nearly impossible to single out any one piece for special praise here, as every track has its own charms. For repertoire, Magris went all the way back to the compositions of Eubie Blake for the well-known Memories of You and the more obscure The Chevy Chase (a favorite of Willie “the Lion” Smith), the CD’s lone solo piano number. Another “good old good one,” as Louis Armstrong used to say, is the Spencer Williams tune I’ve Found a New Baby, premiered in 1926. While it’s been played many hundreds of times since, Magris and Hochberg keep it fresh with a lively and rewarding conversation. More modern are Andrew Hill’s Laverne, presented in two versions, Cal Massey’s Quiet Dawn (from a 1972 Archie Shepp date), and organist Trudy Pitts’ soulful Anysha, first recorded by Rahsaan Roland Kirk in 1976. Even less well-known than Pitts is the pianist and composer Billy Gault, who penned The Time of This World is at Hand, a gospel blues that suits Magris’ style perfectly, with superlative support from Hochberg. We’re also treated to three Magris originals. One is the bouncy title track that opens the show. Later there’s Clef Club Jump, with a sinuous melody, spooky arco bass, and a few splashes of right hand piano notes that recall Don Pullen in a hint at Magris’ seldom-invoked avant-garde side. Towards the end of the set, Italy features Hochberg supplying a buoyant bossa beat and melodious solos. Shuffling Ivories is pretty much irresistible music-making from start to finish. Highly recommended.
JMood JMOOD 021; Roberto Magris (p) Eric Hochberg (b); Chicago, IL, November 7, 2019; Shuffling Ivories/ I’ve Found a New Baby/ Clef Club Jump/ Memories of You/ The Time of This World is at Hand/ Quiet Dawn/ Laverne/ Anysha/ Italy/ The Chevy Chase/ Laverne (take 2); 67:21. www.jmoodrecords.com
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