Paul Dietrich, 5+4 Review

Paul Dietrich’s Bold Folk-Jazz and European Jazz Fusion in 5+4

Paul-Dietrich-feature-the-jazz-word

Paul Dietrich, 5+4 Review

Paul Dietrich’s Bold Folk-Jazz and European Jazz Fusion in 5+4

by Ferell Aubre

Paul-Dietrich-the-jazz-word-cdPaul Dietrich’s 5+4 has a sonic palette where American folk-jazz embraces the pastels of orchestral elegance. Released in October 13, 2023, this album pairs a jazz quintet (trumpet, saxophone, piano, bass, and drums) with a string quartet, creating a rich fusion of jazz and classical textures that pushes contemporary boundaries. The resulting ensemble is able to blend jazz and classical sounds to achieve a contemporary nuance. Dietrich, a rising force in modern jazz trumpet, keeps the project focused since he composed and arranged the music for both the jazz quintet and the string quartet, ensuring a cohesive fusion of the two ensembles.

“Springs” opens with a catch rhythmic motif as the counterpoint between the rhythm section and horns and strings sets the stage. The catchy melody is supported by lush string harmonies and a B section that focuses solely on the string quartet. Dietrich’s composition has a statement of purpose, where melodies are fluid, and the form holds a structural integrity that speaks to Dietrich’s compositional strength. Dustin Laurenzi’s tenor saxophone solo weaves through, around, and over the open harmonies and rhythmic structure. The shout chorus after Laurenzi’s solo creates a captivating written conversation between the quintet and quartet that reflects a unique and colorful possibilities of the ensemble.

“Suspend,” where Dietrich engages in an intricate dialogue of counterpoint between the individual instruments and the different sections of the ensemble. The dance between melodic statements and sectional exchanges build interest and develop into a climactic final chorus. What’s particularly striking here is the restraint and listening displayed by the rhythm section—drummer Jon Deitemyer and bassist Brian Courage—allowing the counterpoint to dominate while maintaining a complex and ever-solid pulse beneath.

“Out Here,” the title track, offers a multi-layered and developing composition, where strings, woodwinds, and brass dance in a developing ostinato pattern. The harmonic movement to crucial the elements of surprise. There’s an inherent European meets American folk-jazz to this piece that allows the listener to breathe and listen with open ears, making it one of the mesmerizing amalgamations on the record.

“Of Islands” highlights Dietrich’s ability to merge intricate time shifts with counterpoint and jazz’s spontaneous energy. The strings, led by violinist Paran Amirinazari, elevate the piece, giving it a cinematic depth that complements the improvisatory flights taken by the brass. This track exemplifies the balance the orchestration achieves between structured composition and the freedom that defines jazz.

As a closer, “Closing” feels like a quiet reflection, a sonic resolution that ties together the diverse themes explored across the album. The interplay between Dietrich’s trumpet and the string quartet builds toward a gentle farewell, leaving listeners with a sense of completion and lingering thoughtfulness.

5+4 exemplifies the creative projects found in modern jazz by merging compositional rigor with emotional and orchestrative depth. Paul Dietrich proves a jazz composer can be a storyteller whose narratives unfold beautifully through a marriage of styles and core sound associated with jazz and classical associated with American folk-jazz and European jazz elements. 5+4 sounds innovative in its combining of these two elements, making it an essential listen for modern jazz.

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