Taylor Cook: "For Lilia"

For today's review, we're going to be discussing Taylor Cook and his most recent studio release "For Lilia". A graduate of the University of Toronto's prestigious jazz performance program, Cook has been tearing up the Canadian jazz scene, with three releases to date, and a number of extensive tours with both his quartet and quintet. Despite being a multi-instrumentalist, Cook only performs with his alto sax on this release. The album has been garnering a ton of interest because it was produced by Tim Ries of The Rolling Stones. Ries also appears as sideman on the album; playing his tenor sax on a number of tunes. Other personel on the record include Paul Morrison on the piano, James Genus on the bass, and Clarence Penn on the drums. In addition, the record was produced at the internationally renowned Avatar Studios in New York City. The first song that we're going to note is the arrangement of Thelonious Monk's "Evidence". Ries is first to take off on an impressive solo. Following this, Morrison and Penn begin a musical dialogue, conversing back and forth with their respective instruments until Cook comes in, taking the song home with a powerful improvisation. The next song we're going to highlight is the arrangement of Sonny Rollins' "St. Thomas". The tune is characterized by both Cook and Morrison, bringing out everything they've got on two amazing solos that will have you shivering by the end of the song. To conclude, "For Lilia" is a Grade A album, featuring beautiful compositions, and cleverly arranged standards. Despite this, the album brings forth a young musician and composer, who will undoubtedly by a household name in the jazz world as he makes his way onto the musical main stage.

Purchase "For Lilia"

Taylor Cook