SLAMCD570 Leonid Vintskevich, Steve Kershaw & Nick Vintskevich – Under a Different Sky

‘Under a Different Sky’ features a series of trio and duo recordings by leading Russian pianist/composer Leonid Vintskevich, his son, the excellent saxophonist Nick Vintskevich and bassist Steve Kershaw, whose flawless playing has underpinned many a SLAM Productions recording.

The tunes on ‘Under a Different Sky’ all reflect the lives, interests, influences and communal experiences of the trio. “Forgotten Melody” is Leonid’s meditation on half-remembered musical fragments; “The Waltz of the Young Turks” – inspired by a distinctive clapping rhythm banged out by drinkers in a bar in Bergama in Turkey; “One Moment” – a lyrical reflection on the Chernozem (‘Black Earth’) and big skies of Nick’s homeland; “Face Kontrol” – sharing the feelings you have outside Moscow nightclubs, where the ‘Face Kontrol’ official won’t let you in unless you are beautiful; “Russian Ornament” – party time on the Russian steppe with the workers, Stravinsky and home-made vodka.

Leonid Vintskevich: piano (tracks 1-6, 8-9)
Steve Kershaw: double bass (tracks 1-4, 6-9)
Nick Vintskevich: alto saxophone (tracks 4 & 9) and soprano saxophone (tracks 2-3, 5-6)

“Russian pianist Leonid Vintskevich strikes his piano with a certain volatile bravura and audacity, his passion and brazen attitude echoing his dazzling ingenuity and technique. His music is evocative of that of some of his favourites, Berg, Messiaen, and Scriabin. This uncluttered and pugnacious style needs a strong and stable underpinning, provided here by Steve Kershaw on double bass, who already has some standing with the Vintskevich father and son duo. Saxophonist Nikolai is as free as his parent and his attack on his instrument is similarly belligerent. While Kershaw’s structure is solid, it is also flexible within and this leaves space for the other two to breathe.” – Ken Cheetham, Jazz Views

“Leonid Vintskevich’s piano and Steve Kershaw’s bass team up with Nick Vintskevich’s team of saxophones on this unorthodox trio that does some wonderful work on originals. Vintskevich’s soprano sax prances over the playful piano on “The Waltz of the Young Turks” while rapid unison lines between soprano and piano make for an exciting race on “Russian Ornamant.” Kershaw’s bowed bass creates a sonata for “One Moment” while he slaps the strings like they’re a newborn baby on the title track. Some wondrously intimate piano is delved into on “Stabat mater” and the team gets introspective on the calm read of Debussy’s “Sarabande.” Impressive mix of freedom and form.” – George Harris, Jazz Weekly

“Bassist Steve Kershaw is the West’s sole representative in a Russo-UK threesome that has maintained a high level of confidence and verve…The obvious virtues are clarity of conception and intent and undeviating delivery, particularly from Nick Vintskevich in soulful and soaring mode.” – Nigel Jarrett, Jazz Journal

“Nick Vintskevich, who at times brings to mind Dave Liebman, is very melodic and clear. Kershaw who had a hand in writing/arranging 6 of the 9 tracks goes solo on the title track. Half of the program here is duos with one member of the trio sitting out. I think this, and the fact that this is a drummerless group, adds to the clarity and variety of the program…A most pleasing release.” – Robert Rusch, Papatamus

Recorded at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead, England, 21 July 2014. Engineered by Matt Biss
Under a Different Sky (Track 7) recorded at HSO Studios, Oxford, England, on 17 April, 2014. Engineered by Chris Humphries
Mixed by Thomas Vang at The Village Recording, Copenhagen, Denmark, on 19 February 2015
Mastered by Tim Turan at Turan Audio, Oxford, England, on 23 June, 2015

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