Morning Bells Whistle Bright

When Michael Bisio heard Korean pianist Eunhye Jeong’s ESP-Disk’ 2021 album NOLDA, he expressed interest in working with her. We of course were happy to make the connection, and after a successful and riveting duo concert in Kingston, NY showed what a good match they were, ESP was eager to document their musical affinity. One of the concert attendees was avant-jazz sax icon Joe McPhee, who guested with the duo at their subsequent studio session along with one of ESP’s favorite drummers, Jay Rosen. Magical moments abounded, as you can hear on this album.

 Track Listing:

1. Point Expands to World                           4:37

2. And Then She Was There                         5:28

3. Dusts into Substantiality                          6:38

4. Points Multiply Constant Beauty            9:11

5. Drinking Galactic Water                           6:15

6. Morning Bells Whistle Bright                13:18

7. Disclosure                                                   5:35

8. Jaybird                                                         7:48

9. Superpreternatural                                   6:33

10. Coda for Tomorrow                                8:07

                                                                        73:30

All tracks collectively composed spontaneously by the musicians.

Credits:

Jeong/Bisio Duo: Eunhye Jeong, piano 1-8, 10; Michael Bisio, bass 1-7, 9-10

with special guests:

Joe McPhee, tenor saxophone 5-7, 10; Jay Rosen, drums 5-10

Recorded March 8, 2023 at Park West Studios by Jim Clouse, who also mixed and mastered.

Produced by Steve Holtje for ESP-Disk’

Liner notes by Paul r. Harding

Cover art from “Shanghai Sunrise” by Dawn Bisio

Press Quotes:

“Jeong’s technique at the keyboard is shocking in its potency; her jackhammering left-hand figures bring to mind Cecil Taylor, Matthew Shipp, and the compositions of Galina Ustvolskaya.” —Phil Freeman, Bandcamp

“A pianist who draws both from the traditional Korean music of her heritage and the expansive language of the improvised avant-garde, Eunhye Jeong explores a range of sonic possibilities on Nolda, her latest solo recital. There’s some Cecil Taylor in her approach, but to invoke such handy comparisons does this music a disservice. Worth noting, too, that the album’s title is a Korean word that translates as ‘play.’”—Nate Chinen, WBGO

“[Bisio’s] The Art Spirit embodies one element that’s often overlooked in free improvisation: joie de vivre.”—Mike Shanley, JazzTimes

“If you happen to be a liner note geek you probably have noticed the name Michael Bisio mentioned frequently on album sleeves. Whether the author is the session leader or analyst, the general consensus is the bassist is the cornerstone upon which great music is built. His playing allows a fellow musician to access not only other player's innovations, but also their own wellspring of creativity and imagination.”—Mark Corroto, AllAboutJazz