Cheryl Pyle Jazz Flute

Cheryl Pyle/Bern Nix Duo-Live at Art on A gallery-2015-11th street muisc

The meeting of flautist Cheryl Pyle and guitarist Bern Nix has led to some excellent sounds. They appeared for a live gig at Art of A Gallery some months ago and luckily the "tapes" were rolling. A nice recording of the gig is available for download as Beyond Duo (11th Street Music).

Many will remember Bern Nix as a key guitarist in Ornette Coleman's Prime Time electric band (RIP to the great Ornette). He's kept going, developing, unfolding his stylistic universe. On his duet with Cheryl here he plays an acoustic guitar, rolling out both lines and chords that skyrocket the music and give a challenging tapestry of sound that inspire Ms. Pyle to go forward to a realm most certainly "beyond."

Cheryl as always has a beautiful flute tone and an original improv-melodic concept that incorporates both new music and jazz elements. Bern Nix feeds her some very thoughtful and original spontaneities that allow the duo to soar and thrive in the process.

The harmonic and linear ideas Bernie expresses must be heard by anyone interested in the possibilities of freedom as made real on the guitar. Cheryl gets the inspiration to outdo herself and in the process we get 45 excellent minutes of DIY immediacy. Do a Google to find the download. It's very worthwhile music!

By Gregory Applegate Edwards http://gapplegateguitar.blogspot.com/2015/07/cheryl-pyle-and-bern-nix-beyond-duo.html

FLOW -Intrinsic Music 2012 -Flow is an international collective ensemble devoted to ambient, progressive electric-acoustic jazz. I've covered their music here before on these blogs. Now there is a new one, or a new one to me anyway, Flow: Duos Trios Quintets (Intrinsic).
As before the ensemble appears in various groupings for a free-flowing eclectic program that runs from lyric improvisations to song-like sequences. The lineup for this outing is Cheryl Pyle on flute and poetic mantras, Oddrun Eickli on vocals and song melodies/lyrics (which are sometimes extremely attractive and at any rate always fluent), Axel Weiss on acoustic and electric guitars, compositional structures and a bit of electric piano and bass, Arne Hiorth on trumpet, Stan Zaslavski on piano and organ, and Sean O'Bryan Smith on bass.
They cover much ground, getting into free-tonal playing, sometimes a quasi-Brazilian feel, a bit of rock electricity, and a general anything goes kind of mellowness.
Cheryl's flute and Axel's guitars take on important roles with the stylistic resonance one might come to expect from them, happily. But then Oddrun comes in with a sort of post-Flora-Purim lyricalness, and Stan and Arne have very good moments.
The vocals every now and again might have benefited from one more take, but Oddrun has a most pleasant voice and it is in the end a minor consideration.
This may not be the very best album they have made, but it is musically substantial while being easy on the ears. Axel gives us his vision and some guitar brilliance. And it all most certainly does flow! Hear it!
Posted by Grego Applegate Edwards

Mahasen - Cheryl Pyle -flute /William Ruiz -percussion -11th street music 2015 -For today's selection we have a lively interchange of percussion and flute on Mahasen (11th Street Music). William Ruiz creates a series of stirring Afro-grooves for various malleted percussion, primarily the African marimba and slit gong. The hypnotic ostinatos are punctuated by lyrically conceived counter-ostinatos by Cheryl Pyle.
The two dig into eight segments that ultimately constitute a varying but conceptually constant approach. Continuous pulsating percussion and sweetly articulated flute motifs work together for music where the sound architectonics hold sway over your listening self and put you pulsatingly forward into segmented space.
It has a continual present zone that occupies your ears with unflagging zeal. You put the music on and it does the rest. It proceeds on with deep rhythmic drive, putting you in a groovy place throughout. The artistry of both in this duo ensures that the results keep on coming at you happily.
Making this sort of thing work well is not at all easy. Ruiz and Pyle succeed fully in part because they stick to the game plan of wall-to-wall groove. It is some beautiful sound, a succinct triumph of the rhythmic arts. Check this out!
Posted by Grego Applegate Edwards http://gapplegatemusicreview.blogspot.com/2016/02/william-ruiz-cheryl-pyle-mahasen.html

DESTINATIONS -2016 -Review by Ben Williams (Bristol, United Kingdom):
"A Marvellous New Album from Stan Z and his international trans-global players - I love this group! No-one would think this collaboration takes place at such great distances apart - from the 6/8 sitar riff at the start of 'Destinations' - the title track - I am reminded of so much good music that I don't know where to start - the flute harmonies remind me of the Brecker Brothers - and soon we are into a great rolling 5/4 groove which supports freewheeling improvisations from everyone in the group - the polyphonic dialogue has a rapturous and sublime mood to it which reminds my of John Coltrane's spiritual jazz.
The sly and sneaky Cuban style changes and funk of 'Made In Russia' create a gritty backstreet vibe which somehow also conjure up the harmonies of Russian Folk Music.
'Equilibrium' is just that - a track of poise and balance - delicately mixing ballad like sensitivity with forceful brass section lines - everyone is listening extremely hard and playing the spaces beautifully - interjecting skilful economical phrases in a continuous group dialogue - outstanding trumpet work at the end of this track - all in all, this is going to be another firm favourite with those who wisely took the step to get into the first Kazhargan World album - Stan Z's playing is supportive and understated throughout - stepping forward whenever necessary - I particularly like the ability he has to make a chordal figure appear like the Sun coming out from behind the clouds. Outstanding playing from all concerned - recommended listening." © Ben Williams-New tracks for an upcoming release. Join and Listen for Free: http://vk.com/kazharganworld

ART SPACE- 11th street Music 2017 - Cheryl Pyle-c flute /alto flute, spoken word ,Max Ridgway -guitar, bass, Randall Colbourne -drums /cover art by Pien van der Beek

"I am listening to your beautiful CD and I must say that I enjoyed browsing all these spaces in several dimensions. "Music for Jeremy Steig" touches me especially and "music for Louise Nevelson" in fine tensions and a delicate sound thickness. "Ode to Captain Beefheart", with your voice I suppose, is particularly successful, with this beautiful dialogue, flute, guitar, drums ... I also like infinitely "music for Pien van Beek" with this minimalist sound of the double bass And the sober play of the guitar and this magical moment when the flute makes its appearance while the battery is in charge of defining an open space where everything seems suspended in the air and where the breath is released gradually for our greatest happiness. And here we are as in suspension, in weightlessness and at other moments of the CD in a state of tension where the urgency is felt to express perhaps the problematic to be in the world, to say, play the tragic beauty of life . There is also a political dimension, in the noble sense of the word, in your wonderful CD, which I think I perceive as meaning our world, our civilization in crisis, lack of meaning, lack of soul. This is an interpretation on my part no doubt but that is how I thought I perceived one aspect of your music ... thanks for sharing and all the best." Patrick Geffroy Yorffeg . France Feb 20 , 2017
" Je suis à l'écoute de votre magnifique CD et je dois dire que j'ai aimé naviguer dans tous ces espaces à plusieurs dimensions . "Music for Jeremy Steig" me touche particulièrement et "music for Louise Nevelson" tout en fines tensions et d' une délicate épaisseur sonore. "Ode to Captain Beefheart", avec votre voix je suppose, est particulièrement réussi, avec ce beau dialogue, flûte, guitare, batterie... j'aime aussi infiniment "music for Pien van der Beek" avec ce son minimaliste de la contrebasse et le jeu sobre de la guitare et cet instant magique où la flûte fait son apparition pendant que la batterie se charge de définir un espace ouvert où tout semble en suspension dans l 'air et où le souffle se libère progressivement pour notre plus grand bonheur. Et nous voici comme en suspension , en apesanteur et à d'autres moments du CD en état de tensions où l'urgence se fait sentir d'exprimer peut-être la problématique d'être au monde, de dire, de jouer la beauté tragique de la vie . Il y a aussi me semble t-il une dimension politique, au sens noble du terme, dans votre merveilleux CD que je crois percevoir comme pour signifier notre monde , notre civilisation en crise , en manque de sens , en manque d'âme. C'est une interprétation de ma part sans doute mais c'est pourtant comme cela que j'ai cru percevoir un des aspects de votre musique... merci pour le partage and all the best ". Patrick Geoffroy Yorffeg . France Feb 20, 2017
DESTINATIONS- Kazhargan World Jazz Group-2017- Dewey Records/Kazhargan.
"Je viens de terminer l'écoute de votre CD . Bravo à vous chère Cheryl et à vous tous pour ce Masterpiece "DESTINATIONS" qui nous envoûte sur tous les plans. S'il y a une destination à prendre dans nos vies, aux routes trop lourdement balisées, c'est bien celle de l'écoute de votre CD dont il convient de suivre les multiples facettes, les multiples dimensions aux charmes ineffables. Les arrangements sont subtiles et délicats tout en dégageant une grande puissance rythmique originale et savent en même temps souligner, sans lourdeur aucune, les traits et les reliefs de paysages sonores aux riches heures des cultures du monde avec leurs savantespolyrythmies Comme il est bon de se perdre dans cette ivresse musicale savamment composée, où rien n'est définitif et sûr comme la vie, et comme savent l'être les grandes créations artistiques qui nous montrent la voie, la seule,la vraie, celle de "l'intranquillité créative" où tout peut advenir. L'on remarquera donc l'aspect protéiforme et multiculturel de "Kazhargan Destinations" où les musiciens savent, pour notre plus grand bonheur, dialoguer et inventer une manière de vivre ensemble. L'on tendra l'oreille à la voix poétique de Cheryl Pyle et aux belles envolées profondes de sa flûte dans cette surprenante pièce musicale qu'est "10- Aurora Polaris" et du dialogue tout en finesse avec le piano de Stanislav Zaslavsky (Russia) et la batterie de Drums: Laurent Planells(Paris, France). L'on découvrira avec bonheur la Trumpet d'Hans Peter Salentin (Germany) et la guitare Guitar de Max Ridgway-(Alva, Oklahoma , USA) dans 9- Summer Night . l'on remarquera en passant la dimension de danse de "Still Together" avec ses entrelacs mélodiques tendres et sensuels à la fois où tous les instruments participent d'une grande dynamique musicale que l'on peut entendre aussi dans "Dance of Changes". L'on entendra le guitariste Max Ridgway jouer du sitar en introduction dans "Destinations" une pièce qui porte le titre de l'album et qui donne bien la mesure de ce magnifique CD à la croisée des mondes. All the best et bravo à vous tous pour ce trésor . " review by Patrick Geffroy Yorffeg

DESTINATIONS-Kazhargan World Jazz Group-2017- Dewey Records/Kazhargan
.review by Patrick Geffroy Yorffeg April 3 , 2017
" I just finished listening to your CD. Congratulations to you dear Cheryl and to you all for this masterpiece "destinations" which bewitches us on all plans. If there's a destination to take in our lives, the roads too heavily marked, it's good that of listening to your cd which we should follow the multiple facets, the multiple dimensions to the ineffable charms. The arrangements are subtle and delicate, all while releasing a great power original rhythmic and know at the same time stress, without any heaviness, the features and the reliefs of soundscapes the rich hours of world cultures with their scholarly polyrythmies. As it is good to get lost in this musical intoxication expertly composed, cleverly orchestrated, where nothing is final and sure, like life, and as know the be the great artistic creations who show us the way, the only, the real, One of the "creative intranquillity" where anything can happen. We will notice so the aspect of protean and multicultural kazhargan "destinations" where the musicians know, for our greatest happiness, dialogue and invent a way of life together. We will tend the ear to the voice of poetic Cheryl Pyle and the beautiful deep flights of his flute in this surprising musical piece that is "10-Aurora Polaris" and dialogue while finesse with the piano of stanislav zaslavsky (Russia) And the battery drums: Laurent May hire multiple (Paris, France). We will find out with happiness the trumpet of Hans Peter Salentino Dialect (Germany) and the guitar guitar of Max Ridgway-(Alva, Oklahoma, USA) in 9-summer night. We will be noted in passing the dimension of dance of " still together " with its melodic interlacing soft and sensual at a time where all the instruments are involved a great musical dynamic that we can hear also in " dance of changes ". Hears the guitarist Max Ridgway play the sitar in introduction in "destinations" a piece that bears the title of the album and who gives well the measure of this magnificent cd at the crossroads of the worlds. All the best and congratulations to you all for this treasure." Patrick Geffroy Yorffeg.

International jazz combo includes Oklahoma musician on guitar, sitar
ALVA, Okla. – Although Max Ridgway has never met any of his fellow bandmates in person, he is still amazed at how good he and the others – who live in various parts of the world – sound when Russian pianist and composer Stanislav “Stan” Zaslavsky pastes the musical contributions together – including those from Ridgway – into a tuneful whole.
Called the Kazhargan World Jazz Group, Zaslavsky has handpicked these different musicians – including Ridgway on guitar and sitar; Hans Peter Salentin, a Cologne, Germany-based trumpeter; flutist Cheryl Pyle from New York; Sasha Pyshminsev, a saxophonist from Russia; Sean O’Bryan Smith of Nashville, Tenn. also contributing bass; and Laurent Planells, a drummer based in Paris, France – to record a new album called Destinations, which will be released soon and is a follow-up to the previous album, 2014’s Post Fiction, which is available via iTunes and also on Amazon, via Dewey Records.
As Ridgway (whom we highlighted in a piece in 2015 headlined “Raga in Alva: College music teacher only known sitar player in Oklahoma”) explained, the musicians communicate and exchange music tracks through social media and email.
Zaslavsky then mixes and produces the whole record at his homebase in Russia.
Ridgway, who is also an adjunct instructor of music at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, said that when he explains it to people, the first reaction is to “think it would be a total mess,” but he assures this reporter that it is “super, high-quality, sophisticated jazz” and “really quite amazing.”
Listening to a sample track, “Destinations,” with Ridgway’s sitar kicking things off and giving it an Indian flavor, initially, Salentin’s trumpet comes in and then the jazz combo really lays it down with Pyle’s jazz flute sounding reminiscent of improvisational Cuban jazz flutist Bobby Ramirez, alongside Zaslavsky’s piano.
And Ridgway is correct in saying that the results are “quite amazing.” You would think that these musicians are all in the same room.
Ridgway comes to Oklahoma City once a month to perform free concerts with his jazz group the Max Ridgway Trio. They have a record called Deep Memory Scan that captures Ridgway's jazz guitar style, accompanied by a bassist and drummer."
http://www.reddirtreport.com/rustys-music/international-jazz-combo-includes-oklahoma-musician-guitar-sitar article by Andrew W. Griffin April 18, 2017

Art Space - 11th street music 2017
The trio of Cheryl Pyle, Max Ridgway and Randall Colbourne fills the ears with a special kind of three-way freedom that I feel increasingly is one-of-a-kind. This can be heard tellingly in the recent download release Art Space (11th Street Music), which I believe is the third album I have reviewed on these pages (index box above will call up the others).

Cheryl is on flute, alto flute and spoken word; Max Ridgway appears once again on electric guitar; and Randall Colbourne plays the drums. Each has a role to play in the ongoing free sequences and distinguishes our aural space with a closely interlocking three-way interplay that becomes considerably more than the already vital contribution each makes. It is the way the three become one that makes this music stand out. They have played together for quite a while and by so doing have developed a special kind of free rapport one encounters rarely in the free jazz firmament.

It is a sort of naturally relaxed impressionist freedom one encounters throughout. Cheryl is at her best, lyrical, textural and limpidly eloquent. Max rejoins her every phrase with well chosen guitar intelligence. And Randall completes the circle with subtle attack and a ready immediacy that is just right for the chamber ambiance the trio projects so well. Each establishes a very personal style of their own but then alternately gives way and springs forward with three-way line flow. You hear a never ending outpouring of modern melodic and harmonic advance. And that of course is a very good thing.

The music never flags while managing to create a special world one dwells within willingly and happily. If you do not know this threesome, here is the place to start. If you already do, this will no doubt increase your appreciation. Thanks for this, you three!
Posted by Grego Applegate Edwards - https://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3957800621291025741&postID=4315032404216617853&from=pencil &from=pencil