David Haney - Day for Night at Jackstraw

David Haney

Day for Night at Jackstraw

SLAM Productions

Tracks 1, 2 & 3:

David Haney - Piano

Julian Priester - Trombone

Buell Neidlinger - Bass

Tracks 4, 5, 6:

David Haney - Piano

Frank Clayton - Bass

Juan Pablo Carletti - Drums

Marc Smason - Trombone, Shofar

Dan Blunck - Tenor sax, Flute

Doug Haning - Contra Alto Clarinet

I first came across David Haney's name when he took over publication of Cadence Magazine a few years ago. I found out he was a pianist and checked out his Conspiracy a Go Go on CIMP (2008) with Dominic Duval and Andrew Cyrille. I liked what I heard, even though at times he sounded almost overwhelmed by the maelstrom the bassist and drummer were whipping up, and I wanted to hear more.

The Jackstraw of the title refers to Jackstraw Studios in Seattle, where these two sessions were recorded eight years apart. The first three tracks from 2000 feature the trio of Haney, Priester and Neidlinger, while the second three from 2008 feature the sextet. 

The trio cuts showcase a nice contrast between Priester's silky smooth trombone and Haney's spiky piano. Haney has that link to Ellington / Monk / Nichols that I love with some avant garde classical influences in the mix as well. Neidlinger comes to the fore on Lightening Tooth and Thunder Foot, a collectively improvised piece and the only track not wholly composed by Haney. I'm always impressed every time I hear Neidlinger, and I wonder why he hasn't recorded more. One or more of the three musicians always does something to keep the music moving forward during these three selections; it's a pleasure to hear these seasoned masters creating on the spot.

On Elephant of Surprise, the first of the sextet tracks, Carletti establishes a tribal beat for the rest of the group to improvise over. Blues Eventually has a nice blend of composition and group improvisation which characterizes the entire album. Haning's contra alto clarinet, which sounds like a bass clarinet, adds a nice flavor to the group sound. The final track, Possession of Foxes, begins on a frenetic note, and then deconstructs into commentary from the horns with interjections from percussion and prepared piano.

My only issue with this album is that, while the CD runs 56 minutes, I wanted to hear more of each group. You can purchase the CD through Downtown Music Gallery or Slam’s website.

Here's the trio performing Khartoum, the first track: