Ascent
Pablo Held, Nelson Veras
[Veras] is certainly a virtuoso but there is, commendably, no sense of a star soloist being shipped in for effect. The guitarist merges into the group, enriching it in texture and line, and...
Ascent
Pablo Held, Nelson Veras
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[Veras] is certainly a virtuoso but there is, commendably, no sense of a star soloist being shipped in for effect. The guitarist merges into the group, enriching it in texture and line, and...
About
Pablo Held's new album, Ascent, his second for Edition Records, is a collaboration between his long-running trio (with bassist, Robert Landfermann and drummer, Jonas Burgwinkel) and the great Brazilian guitarist Nelson Veras. Regarded as one of the most talented and adventurous pianists and improvisors in Europe, Pablo Held is building a formidable reputation, not only as a pianist of outstanding ability but also for his considerable musicaility, energy and risk-taking. Ascent is highly anticipated new album, following their 10th album Investigations, praised internationally for its remarkable quality, deep communication and lyrical elegance, prompting All About Jazz to describe the group as "a world class trio of exceptional talent". The new album is a deeply satisfying fusion of the powerful and expressive music associated with Pablo Held's trio and the fluid invention of Nelson Veras's guitar stylings.
Contents and tracklist
Awards and reviews
March 2020
[Veras] is certainly a virtuoso but there is, commendably, no sense of a star soloist being shipped in for effect. The guitarist merges into the group, enriching it in texture and line, and although the compositions and improvisations are often complex, angular and dense, no one steps in the way no matter how busy things get.
March 2020
It’s certainly a meeting of minds; Veras’ thoughtful, probing lines both complimenting and contrasting Held’s somewhat angular melodicism in a way that seems to inspire Veras’ thinking.
April 2020
Ascent is an album that’s so good so often, it very likely will broaden Held’s following on this side of the Atlantic.
