David Hazeltine, Ballads and Blues Volume II Review

Harmonies of the Heart: David Hazeltine’s Ballads and Blues Volume II

by Ferell Aubre

Jazz artists often find themselves in a delicate balance between pedagogy and performing; David Hazeltine is a beacon of artistry that effortlessly bridges the gap. His latest release, Ballads and Blues Volume II, is four selections displaying his mastery of the subtlety of being well-educated and the visceral power of being able to express himself musically with that knowledge, two pillars that have long defined the jazz tradition.

Hazeltine, a seasoned pianist with a discography that spans over four decades, brings a wealth of experience and a distinctive voice to this project. Known for his ability to infuse a familiar tune with new life, Hazeltine’s interpretations on this album are dynamic in their performance and clarity of harmonic and rhythmic expression. The album features a tight-knit trio with Neal Miner on bass and Pete Van Nostrand on drums, musicians with whom Hazeltine shares a deep musical rapport. Their chemistry is palpable throughout the recording, creating a cohesive and immersive listening experience.

The album opens with “Deceptively Blue,” a piece that immediately fills the air with Hazeltine’s signature touch—his lines are lyrical, his harmonies rich, and his phrasing deeply expressive. There is a contemplative quality to his playing here, reminiscent of the late Bill Evans, whose influence Hazeltine acknowledges as foundational to his understanding of approaching the piano. Hazeltine’s approach is distinctly his own, blending a joyous swing feel in his rhythm that draws the listener in as he fluidly conveys the harmonic intent of his ideas.

“My Buddy’s Blues” follows, offering a contrast with its earthy, groove-laden straight-eight feel. Here, Hazeltine taps into the essence of the blues, a genre that he claims comes naturally to him. His understanding of the blues’ emotional depth is evident in every note, as he navigates the harmonies nuances with sensitivity of blue notes and the authority of jazz voice leading and chord tone approaches. Miner and Van Nostrand provide a rock-solid foundation, their interplay with Hazeltine are intuitive and dynamic.

“A Day in the Life of a Fool” shows Hazeltine’s arrangement of this classic tune as lush and intricate, revealing his skill as an arranger and interpreter. His touch on the piano is delicate yet purposeful, each chord and melody carefully shaped to evoke his melodic storytelling. The bounce in the rhythm of his single-note passages is filled with accents that shape his ideas into clear phrases.

The album closes with “Last Waltz With Mum,” a personal composition that serves as a poignant tribute. Hazeltine’s playing is tender and beautifully evocative, offering a fitting conclusion to an album that gracefully navigates the spectrum of human emotion. Miner and Van Nostrand provide unwavering support, intuitively following Hazeltine’s lead to create a powerful and impactful musical experience.

Ballads and Blues Volume II shows the expressive power of the piano trio as Hazeltine, Miner, and Van Nostrand perform with a level of cohesion that can only come from years of collaboration and mutual respect. The album is a reflection of Hazeltine’s musical journey—a journey that has seen him evolve from a prodigious young talent in Milwaukee to one of the most recorded contemporary jazz pianists of our time. For fans of ballads, blues, or simply great jazz, Ballads and Blues Volume II is an important listen.