The celebrated bassist and composer Ted Olsen is back with a new set of originals titled Violette. Olsen is no stranger to releasing his own music and this album continues Olsen’s penchant for bringing lush, through-composed moments into conversation with improvisers. Throughout the album, Ted’s compositions and bass playing are buttressed by support from multiple string players, pianists and drummers. Olsen’s dual facility in string-heavy classical-leaning affairs and in jazz settings help the album breathe, with the through line being Ted’s approach to harmony and bass. For a handful of the tunes Olsen invited vocalists into the mix and today we are focused on the song “Dusk, WSQ,” which features the work of vocalist Aby Wolf.
Pianist Will Kjeer performs an overture of the song’s primary themes before ushering Aby Wolf in. Wolf’s inspired navigation of the melody personalizes the nostalgia, promise and curiosity, outlined in the lyric. Throughout the song, Olsen uses the string section to punctuate the narrative arc of the story and fill in the blanks of a love story in the spots where words wouldn’t help. I love the extra touch of the strings sneaking in a pizzicato moment when the lyric mentions Joni Mitchell. As the band approaches the end of the song, I was so impressed to hear the string section pulled into focus as they carried the imagery of a question filled romance to the finish line.
Olsen, who received a 2020 McKnight Composer Fellowship, has clearly put the support to good use. Olsen’s writing is now that of a seasoned artist; he’s composed gorgeous moments for his group while also leaving enough blank spots on the pages that artists like John Raymond, Aby Wolf and Will Kjeer can add their own flavor to the pot.
It can be easy to prejudge every bass player-led album release as a virtuosity-first affair, filled with songs that sound more like warm-up exercises than full on compositions. That is decidedly not the case for Ted Olsen and his discography. Though Olsen knows his way around the bass, his true gift is knowing his way around the bandstand, conjuring great performances from a large cast of players, always in the service of his rich compositions.
Ted Olsen celebrates his new album with a show at the Cedar Cultural Center on Wednesday, June 11.
Listen to “Dusk, WSQ” here:
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