Galper's dazzling runs are often complemented by his punchy pointillism... stunning... - DownBeat. During a rich musical period in the late '70s with many performances around New York City and two European tours together, pianist Hal Galper and guitarist John Scofield recorded a pair of legendary albums that demonstrated the well grounded paths they were on, their concepts coalescing in a hub of scorched earth intensity. Scofield's "Rough House," was followed by Galper's "Ivory Forest" recorded in October 1979, both originally on the German Enja label and with Adam Nussbaum on drums. Now 40+ years later, and the legacy set with countless thousands of musicians inspired to follow in their steps, the sounds remain modern and vital.
Pianist Hal Galper disbanded his Ahmad Jamal-inspired trio in 2000 after a productive decade of steady touring and recording. Returning to 'the shed' for several years to work on concepts, teach and write, he came to realize that a rubato approach to time and movement-a concept he was first exposed to with Sam Rivers in the early '60s-was where he was being led. With bassist Tony Moreno & drummer Billy Mintz, Galper found able & willing partners to explore new territories in 2005, recording "Agents of Change" in 2006. The trio was the first stone cast in that direction for the eclectic pianist, a remarkable late career modernization that ushered in one of the most significant innovations in the art of the trio since Bill Evans' conception of equal partnership in the early '60s. This trio was a foray into a more melodic and beauty focused approach to rubato, before the more explosive and wide-roaming version portrayed by Galper's last touring trio of 2007-2019, with bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop. "Invitation to Openness" was a brief return to the original rubato trio with Moreno & Mintz, recorded in 2008, live in upstate New York. This indomitable period of innovation, that so remarkably occurred a half century into his career, was enabled by his trio association with Marino and Mintz, so beautifully portrayed by the tracks contained within.
(Mike & Randy Brecker) comprised a blistering front line. Galper was in aggressive form, playing with an energy reminiscent of McCoy Tyner, a spirit of embellishment reminiscent of Art Tatum and a harmonic knowledge reminiscent of Bill Evans. Dockery and Moses formed a heart-pounding tandem. - JAZZTIMES. Captured during a pivotal, trailblazing period of his five decade career, pianist Hal Galper had come off the road with the Cannonball Adderley Quintet looking to establish his new working band. Pulling in Michael & Randy Brecker, whom he had recorded & worked with in the early '70s, along with bassist Wayne Dockery and drummer Bob Moses, Galper set up Sunday matinees at NY's Sweet Basil Jazz Club for a year to woodshed the group concept and new compositions. In the studio, 1977's 'Reach Out!' displayed an astonishingly original collective, with all matching Galper's chance-taking, high-spirited, free-wheeling approach to music making. 1979's "Speak With a Single Voice" captured the energy of the quintet live, but on this 1977 Berlin Jazz Festival performance, the band shifts into an other-worldly overdrive. From the opening salvos of Galper's "Now Hear This," the mission is defined - jazz giants, in the prime of their youth, set free to blow, pushed to the limits by Galper's facility, full-bodied sound, and fertile imagination.
... they have revealed a work of true artistic mastery, and generational significance. In many ways, it personifies the direction of jazz music into the 21st century, a mantle to be grasped and moved forward by generation next. - All About Jazz. In his fifth decade as a major jazz artist, Hal Galper continues the innovation that has made him one of the most surprising and satisfying pianists alive. His 21st century series of albums for Origin over the last 12 years incorporates the elasticity of rubato performing as a means of melding melodic lyricism with the visceral rhythmic excitement of bebop. This 8th recording in the series highlights the deep musical bond of his trio, with bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop, and their uncanny ability to slip into "The Zone" - where self awareness is abandoned and the music is allowed to control the proceedings. Performed in the inviting environs of the Yardbird Suite in Edmonton, Canada, it was months later that the recording from the soundboard was reviewed. Asking "Who is this piano player?," Galper recognized the music was coming from a deeper than conscious place and that documenting the trio deeply in 'the zone,' and in the wild, was necessary. "... a moment of thrilling uncertainty, slightly airborne and stretched out in unusual shapes and motions, and (the moment extended) out for the length of a song, each and every time." - Wondering Sound.
With his focus on 'the art of the trio' since moving on from the Phil Woods Quintet in the late '80s - the last decade incorporating his innovative development of trio 'Rubato' playing into 7 albums on Origin Records - pianist Hal Galper made a major, personal musical statement in adding his old friend and saxophone titan Jerry Bergonzi to a late 2016 tour and live recording. Diving into the 'Rubato' deep end with the trio, Bergonzi provided another dimension and added spark, opening unforeseen avenues to the trio and quickly becoming an integral part of Galper's musical concepts going into the future. Thus, the Hal Galper Quartet, featuring Jerry Bergonzi! Recorded at Cleveland's Tri-C, Tommy LiPuma Center for Creative Arts, the quartet recorded live in an open session format with a small but involved audience. Bassist Jeff Johnson contributed much of the music for the tour and four of the tracks for the recording. His tune title "Cubist," provided the implied visual of a subject with many parts out of place or overly-dramatized, offering new perspectives on a familiar image, and a fine metaphor for the music. "... a moment of thrilling uncertainty, slightly airborne and stretched out in unusual shapes and motions, and (the moment extended) out for the length of a song, each and every time." - Wondering Sound"... The high level of integration and communication the trio displays is rare and quite thrilling to experience... " - DOWNBEAT
Pianist Hal Galper's series of trio recordings over the last 10 years incorporates his development of "Rubato" playing as a means of melding melodic lyricism with the rhythmic excitement and "sound of surprise" of the bebop tradition. Being a passionate advocate for the apprenticeship system, Galper formed the Youngbloods in 2015 to further explore rubato while providing him the platform to work with vital young musicians on the New York scene, passing on lessons from his 50 year career. With saxophonist Nathan Bellot, bassist Dean Torrey, and drummer David Frazier, Galper revisits some of the compositions, fire, and adventurousness of his seminal recordings from the '70s during this set from the 2016 COTA Jazz Festival in Delaware Water Gap, where they celebrated the life of Galper's longtime employer, saxophonist Phil Woods."Successfully taking bop into the new century, Galper is on the money throughout with restless creativity that draws you in and keeps you there..." - Midwest Record.
In his fifth decade as a major jazz artist, Hal Galper continues the innovation that has made him one of the most surprising and satisfying pianists alive. His 21st century series of trio albums for Origin incorporates his development of "Rubato" playing as a means of melding melodic lyricism with the rhythmic excitement and "sound of surprise" of bebop. The 5th recording in that series, "O's Time," highlights the deep musical bond of his trio, with bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop, as they explore standards such as "Smile," jazz classics like Wayne Shorter's "Wildflower," and originals including the title track, a dedication to Ornette Coleman. "... The high level of integration and communication the trio displays is rare and quite thrilling to experience... " - Downbeat
Following up on what's been called the veteran pianist's finest recording to date, 2011's "Trip the Light Fantastic," Galper and his trio offer another exhilarating set of music, further defining the very personal "rubato" style of collective performance they've developed over the last six years. From an intimate "Embraceable You," to the closing high-flying take of Sonny Rollins' "Airegin," Galper, bassist Jeff Johnson, and drummer John Bishop, display a singular group aesthetic, fully grounded in the language of bop while always in pursuit of new possibilities. "... The high level of integration and communication the trio displays is rare and quite thrilling to experience... " - Downbeat
From the startling and provocative rendition of opener "Alice in Wonderland," to a gorgeous take on "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry," the legendary pianist continues the ceaseless development of his singular piano trio concept with his band mates of six years, bassist Jeff Johnson, and drummer John Bishop. "... another fine example of the veteran jazz pianist at the height of his powers - and with no holds barred whatsoever." - Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes "... a pianist of astonishing power and creativity... " - Brad Walseth, Jazz Chicago.
Through a trio of new recordings over the past 4 years, pianist Hal Galper has redefined himself as a player and musical visionary and created a stunning collection of bold piano trio music. With his regular working group of kindred spirits, bassist Jeff Johnson and drummer John Bishop, Galper again re-imagines standards and adds his own compositional voice to a set of musical explorations recorded live at the 2009 Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle. "... The most complex, daring, exhilarating music of Galper's career." - Jazz Times"Hal Galper excels in his highly dramatic improvisations as a soloist... He plays wild capers; sudden flashes of brilliance tumbling over each other temperamentally, individual phrases sparkle effortlessly away... " - Mannheimer Morgen, Germany.
“...Lee has in pianist Hal Galper (former Chet Baker sideman) a sympathetic helpmate. They work together effortlessly and with a unity that suggests an ample measure of mutual respect....sober, beautifully constructed performances....” (M.G. Jazz Journal International August 1977)
