Alberta native, Los Angeles-based pianist/vocalist/composer Gaea Schell was undecided as to the instrument that would become her primary emphasis as a musician--she had studied flute, saxophone and harp as well as piano by the time she graduated from high school. She settled on piano, and recalls that "once I heard and understood ‘swing,’ I was hooked." Today, she not only understands 'swing,' she infuses it into every composition, every lyric, and particularly into her third recording, After the Rain. But there's a lot more than swing here, as there is in the music of her primary muses, Oscar Peterson, Hank Jones, Wynton Kelly, Red Garland and Bill Evans.
Schell composed six of the thirteen tracks, with the remainder an eclectic assortment of covers from Harry Warren and Hoagy Carmichael to Jerome Kern and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Her West Coast support team includes James Alsanders on drums (and co-producer), saxophonist Chuck Manning on three tracks, and three bassists sharing duties-- Scott Steed, Roger Shew and (on the last track) Chris Colangelo. As a pianist, composer and arranger (Gaea arranged all tracks), Schell suggests a Lynne Arriale, Kenny Werner, even Ahmad Jamal vein; but perhaps in terms of her elegant lines and articulation, she more specifically hints at Bill Charlap. As a singer (on 4 covers), hers is a voice that reflects the intimacy of cabaret, usually augmenting the instrumental more than calling attention to itself, save a stunning "How Insensitive" where the vocal is the centerpiece.
The covers all work in exquisite fashion. The opening "Alone Together" is a funky syncopation whose powerful swing is punctuated with a halting rhythm. Her gentle vocal sweetens "September in the Rain," while her articulate piano is the focus on "It Could Happen to You," yet her brief vocals remind us of the great lyric at the heart of the song; Steed solos with swinging grace. What distinguishes her rendition of "Skylark" (and indeed, much of the recording) is Gaea's use of space, her use of hesitation and pause, such that the song feels more like a conversation, a story told in wistful phrases. Impeccable trio interaction further reinforces and transcends yet another reading of this popular standard. Jerome Kern's "In Love In Vain" is given a light swinging touch without drums, sporting a bouncy solo from Steed. Also without drums, Schell and company tackle "Social Call," this time with Chris Colangelo on bass as Gaea admirably tumbles through Jon Hendricks' lyrics with the trio to close out the CD in swinging fashion. But the triumph among the covers, and among the vocals, is "How Insensitive, melodic basslines here provide by Roger Shew. Schell's slight hesitations and little pauses, in voice or on piano, add to the pathos of a track that shines a spotlight on Gaea the singer, the pianist, and the arranger.
And six tracks put that glow on Gaea, the composer. The title track is the most delicate, the diaphanous piano supported by Shew's counterpoint and the songful sax of Chuck Manning. "Tangible" conjures pieces of "Some Day My Prince Will Come." "Truth's Surrender" is a gorgeous melody with equally lovely execution from the pianist with Steed and Alsanders, while "In Moonlight" is more upbeat with a slight nod toward samba, Steed again in the pulse-driver seat. "Immergence" brings back Chuck Manning on sax, flitting and wavering like a deep-throated hummingbird until the track opens up into a boppish romp, closing with an extended vamp topped by James Alsanders' percussion clinic. "Requited" is an intimate dance with silky bass from Shew and intricate runs from the composer.
Rather than a barn burner, After the Rain has a graceful charm, like a flickering candle at dusk, with that fresh optimism that comes after the rain.
-Andrea Canter, Jazzpolice.com
Visit Gaea's website: www.gaeaschell.com
Read more...