Ben Markley: Live at Nocturne

Ben Markley's Live At Nocturne encapsulates a rare alchemy that emerges from nightly performances in an intimate collaborative setting. Over two uninterrupted months, Markley and his cohorts guitarist Steve Kovalcheck, alto saxophonist Will Swindler, bassists Domi Edson (tracks 1-5), Matt Smiley (tracks 6-7) and drummer Andy Wheeler, transformed Denver's Nocturne into a crucible for creativity that celebrates the improvisational spirit of jazz and the rewards of sustained musical interaction.

Markley's seven original compositions serve as the album's foundation, offering a palette of moods and grooves that highlight the ensemble's strengths. The opening track, "Her Strength and Beauty," immediately sets the tone with Swindler's alto soaring with lyrical fluidity. Kovalcheck follows with a series of understated yet incisive guitar lines wherein Markley's piano creates a meditative atmosphere throughout his solo. Edson and Wheelock maintain a steady pulse, allowing for rhythmic elasticity. The follow-up track is "The Melody and Me," filled with bright ideas and an uncluttered sense of phrase as each player brings a robust improvisation on the theme. Edson's solo is mood-oriented, as Markley's playing shines with cascading runs and delicate voicings. Swindler is a saxophonist of fluid introspection, with Kovalcheck delivering evocative harmonic coloration.

Mid-album, the track "Our Walk" is a searching and self-assured number which unspools open and flowing phrases. Markley continues to demonstrate that he is a pianist with a sound improvisational strategy. Kovalcheck and Swindler fill their open spaces without losing imagination or expressive confidence. "Night on the Mountain" is the longest track on the release, coming in at over 13 minutes. It showcases the ensemble's adventurous spirit, featuring extended solos that are brightly evocative and harmonically layered. Their interactive interplay blurs the line between composition and improvisation. The audience's reactions, with bursts of applause here and there, are a reminder of the irreplaceable energy of a live performance.

The documentation of Markley's residency at Nocturne pays off handsomely. The group's chemistry is undeniable, and the music feels both carefully crafted and delightfully unpredictable, which is echoed in the closing track "Jife." Pushed along by Wheelock's propulsive drumming, while Markley, Kovalcheck, and Swindler each show they are searching and self-assured improvisers, they celebrate the collaborative process and the transformative power of shared creativity.

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