The Epicenter of Your Dreams

John Escreets 2022 album Seismic Shift wasnt just his first trio recording, it marked a new start for the British-born pianist, arriving on the heels of his move from his longtime adopted home of Brooklyn to Los Angeles. It also introduced his trio featuring bassist Eric Revis and drummer Damion Reid, showcasing their vibrant brand of post-bop jazz and free improvisation. It was as if he had started his career over, paring his sound down to its basic essentials only to build it back up again. With 2024s The Epicenter of Your Dreams, Escreet embarks on the next logical step, expanding his trio with an even more robust and kinetic style via the addition of tenor saxophonist Mark Turner. One of the more adventurous and cerebral improvisers of his generation, Turner is a perfect match for Escreets trio. He also grew up in and around Los Angeles, as did Revis and Reid. All three musicians bring their deep roots in the progressive West Coast jazz scene to bear alongside Escreet. As with Seismic Shift, the keyboardists totemic influences remain as he draws upon the varied style of pianists like Cecil Taylor and Thelonious Monk. Both are particularly redolent on the title track, an impressionistic piece that contrasts moments of shadowy, sharp, angled lyricism with improvisational sections that twirl and spark like sunlight after the rain. Another major touchstone pops up here with Escreets warm reading of Andrew Hills noir-ish ballad "Erato." Originally recorded on 1965s Pax, Escreet deftly reimagines the song as a shimmering, midtempo swinger. The original recording featured saxophonist Joe Henderson, an artist whose deep blue harmonies Turner often brings to mind. Its a vibe he also conjures on the swinging "Departure No. 1," a 1969 composition by Stanley Cowell, another major Escreet influence. Here, Escreet and Turner dive into the song, relishing each spiraling, hard bop solo break as Revis and Reid propel them forward with an elastic, pinball precision. More esoteric in tone is "Meltdown," a group improvisation that has the haunting dissonance of a modern classical piece by Iannis Xenakis paired with the roughly textured horn, string, and percussion sounds of a Sun Ra concert. Throughout all of this, Escreet plays with a bold assuredness and vitality, contrasting his thick, crashing chords with spritely moments of motivic playfulness. This is especially true on the closing "The Otherside," where he builds a harmonic staircase to climb up before spilling back down in a controlled, dancerly fall. If the message of The Epicenter of Your Dreams is about moving toward the heart of your inner creative vision, then Escreets artful playing feels like a tangible evocation of his West Coast rebirth. ~ Matt Collar