![](https://couleursjazz.fr/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cover-INVENTIONS-HD.jpg)
For his fourth solo piano album in almost twenty years, Russ Lossing has chosen to release his new opus on the label of his frequent companion, Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser.
The album is composed entirely of improvised themes recorded at home on his own piano in a recently acquired house in the countryside, where the sixty-something pianist can finally play at all hours without disturbing the neighbors, and in the meantime listen to the birds chirping or watch the possums and other raccoons go about their personal business.
Although these improvisations have obviously been worked and reworked, they have lost none of their spontaneity and fully reveal the personality of Lossing who, after initial classical training followed by a substantial jazz curriculum, also played and learned with the monumental composer that was his compatriot and elder, John Cage. The result is a substratum that might be attributed to contemporary music, but which never displays the – pardon my vulgarity – “nerdy wank” that this recent branch of classical music can sometimes have.
No, Lossing is an authentic jazz pianist who has, quite simply (but is it that simple?), integrated elements of “Cagian” music into his playing like a bloody bee making its honey from the pollen it gathers along the way. The result is a lot of interval work, but this work is never felt in the final result, which is anything but laborious. Lossing also possesses a magnificent touch, often pearly and refined, and an impressive rhythmic positioning that will enthrall all lovers of fine piano and jazz in general. As for his compositions-improvisations, they take us on a fascinating journey where green landscapes, sloping peaks, deep valleys, steep passes abound. So, we listen to this record with constantly renewed pleasure, track after track, and we never tire of a cruise in 88 keys that we are tempted – and why on earth would we hesitate? – to press the “replay” button on our turntable. “Play it again, Russ,” will say the fans of the film “Casablanca”, and no one will dare prove them wrong.
Line up:
Russ Lossing: piano
Inventions was released by the label Songs/Blaser Music on October 10, 2024
©Photo Header, Marie Bisset
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