Jean-Michel Pilc New Dreams

On August 14, 2007, Jean-Michel Pilc unveiled his New Dreams, his fifth release on Dreyfus Records.

Pilc, recipient of a grant from Chamber Music America (funded by Doris Duke Charitable Foundation) for the composition and performances of new work, displays his skills as a composer on ten of the 15 tracks, while taking on often covered jazz standards by the likes of George Gershwin and Thelonious Monk.

With his masterful technique, idiosyncratic rhythmic invention and harmonic sophistication, Pilc deconstructs and reinvents standards almost beyond recognition, while his lyrical melodicism keeps them familiar yet new.

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Joining Pilc are his working trio of bassist Thomas Bramerie and drummer Mark Mondesir, whom Pilc formally introduced last year with the release of his live recording, Live at Iridium, New York. Pilc also brings back Ari Hoenig, his long-time collaborator and drummer from his previous trio, on such classics as But Not For Me, A Child Is Born, Satin Doll and Straight No Chaser, as well as originals such as Tree Part I, Hummingbirds, title track New Dreams, Action and Trees Part II. Mondesir plays on Pilc originals only, and the rearrangement of Robert Schumannís Widmung.

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Pilc's latest album is a combination of the past and the present, from his band to his choice of compositions, painting of time yet to come. He moves effortlessly from the classic to the modern, from the old to the new, in his constant exploration of self. Check with him tomorrow, though, as it is sure to evolve.

With Jean-Michel Pilc at the helm, modern piano jazz will be "consistently intriguing" (Jazziz).