PoleStar

The PoleStar concert consisted entirely of original compositions, presented with the intention to uplift and inspire the listener in relation to the themes of the light emanating from a guiding star in the sky in conjunction with the internal light deep within the heart.

Compositions presented are:
1) Centrality
2) Lighthouse
3) Togetherness
4) Ataraxia
5) Progeny
6) Loose
7) Effulgence
8) Abound

Here’s a review in THE NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD on the concert from which this album was recorded during the December 13, 2020 Live Stream of Andy Wasserman’s “Listening Experience”:

During the 2020 pandemic, pianist Andy Wasserman has been presenting regular live-stream concerts with one ear toward the therapeutic, healing qualities of music. His latest (Dec. 13th) was dedicated to northern Pole Stars; for astronomy-leaning jazzbos, these are currently Polaris and Polaris Australis. Wasserman produced forays into the bright, the glimmering, the burning, the clouded-over, icy and distant, with use of falling phrases over shifting, widely gripped harmonies as well as blues-drenched, ringing major sevenths, ninths and elevenths. But this was far from what we used to call ‘new age’ music. “Togetherness”, a slow, meandering work, conjured thoughts of Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock. While feelings of unity can be subjective, the rolling complexities in Wasserman’s works are beautifully, almost mystically woven together. More so, much of the pianist’s repertoire is built on his mastery of George Russell’s Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization (indeed, Wasserman was certified by Russell to teach it). “Ataraxia” offered the most profound modal quality, leaving the listener with that odd feeling of hollowness that arises with such tonalities. This piece also carried a motive nothing short of haunting in its reach for simplicity. Other works incorporated lonesome, roving basslines opposite right-hand postmodern jazz, one inspired by Eric Dolphy’s iconic postcard to Russell proclaiming that he’s working on “the new concept, but with an outward-bound feeling.” (written by John Pietaro)

```````````````````````````

MARCH 2021 UPDATE:

Two of Andy Wasserman’s 2020 albums, “FLOWERS” and “THE SEVEN VERTICAL SCALES” received nominations here on SoloPiano.com for “ALBUM OF THE YEAR” in the JAZZ genre category - alongside great Jazz pianist Alan Pasqua’s beautiful album “DAYDREAM.”
Much gratitude and best wishes goes out to all the listeners and staff at SoloPiano who continue to appreciate and support our artistry of solo piano music!