CD: Elegy

Theo Bleckmann is not only a singer of rare purity and boldness of style, but also a sound painter who creates what JazzTimes magazine aptly described as "luminous trajectories" in music
The German-born New Yorker-by-choice - having already appeared on two ECM albums by Meredith Monk and one by Julia Hülsmann - now makes his remarkable debut as a leader for the label with Elegy. The album showcases Bleckmann as much as a composer as a singer, with several instrumentals brought to life by his "ambient band" (as he calls it) with his soulmate, guitarist Ben Monder, keyboardist Shai Maestro and the subtle rhythm team of Chris Tordini and John Hollenbeck
Highlights include Bleckmann's sublime version of Stephen Sondheim's "Comedy Tonight" ("tragedy tomorrow....comedy tonight") as well as the melodious vocalise "Elegy" and the almost painfully poetic "To Be Shown to Monks at a Certain Temple".