PAPATAMUS REDUX

CELLAR MUSIC (RELEASED APRIL 25, 2025)

Except for a few tracks in his discography and his most recent releases (Contrafactus, Aliens and Wizards and A Set of Originals), pianist Spike Wilner tends to mine the music of jazz greats such as Monk and Ellington as well as the Great American Songbook. On The Child & The Warlock, he delves into post-Coltrane territory. Why the shift? For starters, Wilner dedicated this release to his late mentor and pianist Harry Whitaker. Among Whitaker’s advice to a young Wilner was, “Prepare nothing but what you have already brought with you, then play!” As such, playing in the moment is the cornerstone to the energy and excitement one will experience on The Child & The Warlock. Another reason for the shift could be explained by the addition of saxophonist George Garzone to Wilner’s Trio Contrafactus. Garzone’s flights of freedom spur Wilner, bassist Paul Gill and drummer Anthony Pinciotti to stretch and soar. This is most evident on “Moment to Moment (For Harry Whitaker),” an emotionally laden free flowing piece one might expect to hear from the John Coltrane Quartet. Another Coltrane-infused composition is the title track, “The Children & The Warlock.” Written by Whitaker, Wilner begins the tune with an evocative prayer-like solo which morphs into a hypnotic jazz waltz as Garzone states the playful melody before exploring all the twists and turns with his trademark triadic chromatic approach to improvisation. The high energy of tunes such as “The Child & The Warlock,” Coltrane’s “Miles Mode” and Garzone’s “Hey Open Up” are balanced by a heartfelt version of “Theme for Ernie” and a sublime piano/sax duet on an original titled “Benediction.” Bassist Paul Gill and drummer Anthony Pinciotti are just as comfortable and compelling in this musical territory as they have been on past Wilner releases. Sadly, Pinciotti passed away suddenly following this session, and The Child & The Warlock serves as a posthumous tribute to a drummer who performed and recorded regularly with legendary and up and coming players. Recording The Child & The Warlock was surely an emotional experience for Wilner, Garzone, Gill and Pinciotti. Listening to it will be equally emotional for fans of modern jazz.

BOTTOM LINE: According to pianist Spike Wilner, “Jazz can be the very best that mankind can offer — an uninhibited view of the open soul for all to share and grow from.” With its purity of sound, perfect balance of energy and emotion and inspiration from Wilner’s late mentor Harry Whitaker, The Child & The Warlock lives up to Wilner’s definition of jazz to a T.