Rust

Pianist Amaury Faye melds adventurous post-bop and New Orleans second-line traditions on 2025s Rust. Hailing from France and based in Brussels, Faye is primarily known for his warm, sophisticated modern jazz and third stream albums, like his 2023 Arise suite. Yet on Rust he takes an exuberant approach, embracing the vibrant jazz rhythms and R&B sounds that are closely associated with New Orleans. Helping him achieve that is the enthusiastic NOLA Quartet featuring tenor saxophonist Julian Lee, bassist Amina Scott, and beloved New Orleans drummer (and longtime Jazz at Lincoln Center member) Herlin Riley. Together, they play with a wry, hard swinging style, mixing roiling New Orleans grooves and nuanced jazz harmonies. With Lees big, warm tenor at the forefront, the band often brings to mind the playful early-90s work of Branford Marsalis. Cuts like the opening "Sires of the Crescent City" and "Huckabuck Garden" have the textures of a rollicking jam session, with Riley pushing the group with his infectious second-line swing grooves. Theres a feeling that Faye is taking the listener with him as he discovers the multi-cultural sights, sounds, and overall vibes New Orleans has to offer. Its a sentiment particularly redolent in "Walkin Down the Levee," where the group seems to dance along to Rileys supremely earthy Afro-Latin-meets-New Orleans street band bounce. Equally potent moments pop up, including "The Barges Blues," where Faye conjures his best Dr. John-style barroom piano. Similarly, on "Public Belt Rag," he folds New Orleans piano history upon itself, fusing Dr. Johns party-friendly style to the syncopated rhythms of classic Jelly Roll Morton. Elsewhere, he draws upon his deep classical roots, conjuring Claude Debussy on the misty "The Old Empress in the Gloaming." The album ends in a reflection with the solo piano performance "Sweet, Chaotic, Vibrant," a title that could easily describe the ebullient journey through New Orleans Faye takes you on with Rust. ~ Matt Collar