Martin Wind, Stars Review

Martin Wind’s Stars: The Art of Jazz as Conversation

By Ferell Aubre

Stars is Martin Wind’s album that captures the sound of musicians who trust the room, the tune, the moment, and each other. Wind presents this collection of eleven tracks as a jazz space to be entered. This space is shaped by a gathering of musicians with long relationships, shared history, and a high level of musical listening. With Kenny Barron on piano, Anat Cohen on clarinet, and Matt Wilson on drums, Wind curates a session where, within each performance, you will find a conversation of how time feels is a shared responsibility, and when congealed, it results in the most meaningful dialogue.

Wind’s role as bassist and leader is central to the album’s character. His sound is immediately grounding, woody, resonant, rich in overtones, and with a clearly articulated attack that establishes feel without ever feeling heavy-handed. Throughout the record, his lines mark time and guide the harmonic conversation, giving the ensemble a sense of buoyancy and direction that allows the others to play freely. This is leadership from within, and it sets the tone for each performance.

That ethos is clear from the album’s opening moments. On “Passing Thoughts,” the quartet settles into a relaxed medium swing that feels conversational from the first chorus. The melody moves with an easy logic, punctuated by subtle ensemble figures that feel responsive. Cohen’s clarinet is expressive and playful, balancing active phrasing with melodic clarity, while Barron’s piano leans into a blues-inflected sensibility that deepens the groove without complicating it. Wind anchors the performance with Wilson to create a time feel that is firm yet flexible, allowing the music to breathe as the ensemble converses.

As the album unfolds, the rapport between Wind and drummer Wilson becomes one of its anchors. Wilson shapes the music with creativity and touch, responding instinctively to each soloist, while Wind supports those exchanges with lines that are structurally clear and deeply empathetic. On “Wail,” the ensemble leans into rhythm-changes terrain with a shared sense of momentum. Bass and clarinet lock in on the tutti melody, the swing settles into a confident medium tempo, and the group builds shape collectively with Wind maintaining a steady walking pulse. Wilson converses rhythmically with Cohen and Barron while maintaining color and defining the form.

Standards throughout Stars are treated as familiar terrain to be explored in a shared language jazz. Cohen often assumes the role of melodic narrator, her clarinet tone rooted in classic jazz tradition while remaining alert to nuance and contour. Barron’s comping and solos feel alive with expression, but never rushed, always aware of the ensemble’s internal dialogue.

The album’s ballad moments offer some of its most revealing insights. On “Stars Fell on Alabama,” the pacing slows, and the textures allow the listener to hear each voice in sharper relief. A piano introduction establishes a reflective mood before the clarinet enters with a timeless, unadorned lyricism. When Wind joins, the trio’s texture deepens as he expands the emotional space and conveys the pulse. The restraint here is striking, underscoring how much the players value timing and trust.

Wind’s originals blend seamlessly with the standards, reinforcing the album’s sense of balance and flow. His writing favors clarity of form and melodic directness, providing frameworks that invite interpretation rather than dictate outcomes. These compositions function as open rooms for dialogue, aligning perfectly with the session’s broader spirit of generosity and shared intent.

Production plays a significant role in preserving that intimacy. Recorded at EastSide Sound and presented with Newvelle Records’ signature attention to detail, Stars captures the warmth of the room and the physical presence of each instrument. The bass resonates with depth and clarity, the clarinet speaks naturally, the piano retains its full harmonic color, and the drums register with nuance. The result is a listening experience that feels immersive and tactile in capturing the music’s detail.

Stars is an album that impresses through its assurance. These are veteran musicians shaping music through listening, shared time, and mutual respect. Wind’s leadership frames the session with humility and intention, allowing Barron, Cohen, and Wilson to meet him as equals in a conversation that feels effortless and deeply rooted in the jazz vernacular.