The Children & The Warlock Spike Wilner Trio

• 1 Hey, Open Up! 05:52
• 2 The Child and the Warlock 11:33
• 3 Benediction 03:21
• 4 Miles' Mode 05:41
• 5 Theme for Ernie 08:23
• 6 Moment to Moment (For Harry Whitaker) 09:58
• 7 Re-Solution 03:26
• Total Runtime 48:14

Info zu The Children & The Warlock

The Children & The Warlock is a heartfelt tribute to Wilner’s late mentor, pianist and composer Harry Whitaker. A revered yet underappreciated figure in jazz history, Whitaker was known for his deeply expressive playing and unwavering commitment to improvisation in its purest form. As Wilner describes, Whitaker played “only in the moment,” a philosophy that became the foundation of this album’s concept. “Prepare nothing but what you have already brought with you, then play,” Wilner says, echoing his mentor’s ethos.

At the heart of the recording is the collaboration between Wilner and sax titan Garzone, whose fearless, unrestrained approach to improvisation made him the ideal choice for this project. “I always felt George strongly when I heard him perform at Smalls,” Wilner recalls. “My intuition told me he was the perfect person for a Harry Whitaker tribute.” Their chemistry, combined with the synergy of Gill and Pinciotti, results in a session that is both deeply personal and strikingly adventurous.

The album features compositions by Whitaker, Wilner, Garzone, as well as John Coltrane and Fred Lacy. The centerpiece is Whitaker’s haunting composition “The Child & The Warlock,” which serves as a metaphor for the group dynamic: Wilner, Gill, and Pinciotti embodying the “children” and Garzone taking on the role of the “warlock,” guiding them through the unknown. Another notable track, “Moment to Moment”, is a freely improvised piece that pays homage to the name of Harry’s band, capturing his “one perfect jazz moment to another” spirit.

This recording also serves as a posthumous tribute to drummer Anthony Pinciotti, who passed away suddenly following the session. “This may be his final recording, and it is certainly a testament to his creativity and genius,” Wilner reflects.

Perhaps Wilner sums up the central message of The Children & The Warlock best. “Jazz music can be the very best that mankind can offer—an uninhibited view of the open soul, for all to share and grow from.”

Shortly after completing this project, Anthony died of a sudden heart attack. This may be his final recording, and it is certainly a testament to his creativity and genius. Life passes before we have a chance to even understand what we have. My great teach Harry Whitaker, you are alive in my mind and musical thoughts. My great friend Anthony Pinciotti, you are alive in my heart and my musical fabric. Thank you to Cory, Glen and the Cellar Music Group for the support with this project. (Spike Wilner)

Spike Wilner, piano
George Garzone, tenor saxophone
Paul Gill, bass
Anthony Pinciotti, drums

Michael "Spike" Wilner
was born and raised in New York City where he was inspired to play ragtime piano at a young age after seeing a docudrama on the life of Scott Joplin. This led to a life-long passion for piano playing, ragtime and jazz music. Wilner made his performance debut at the age of 14 by playing Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" at the St. Louis Ragtime Festival. Wilner continued his music studies through high-school and participated in its award winning jazz band.

Wilner was a member of the legendary first class of the New School For Social Research's Jazz and Contemporary Music Program, led by the late Arnie Lawrence. In this original class, Wilner met and befriended many of today's prominent members of the current music scene, including Brad Mehldau, Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, Jesse Davis, Chris Potter, Jorge Rossi, Sam Yahel, Joe Strasser, Roy Hargrove, John Popper (of Blues Traveler), Eric Schenkman (of Spin Doctors), David Grausman and others.

In his career, Wilner has led many bands in New York City at many famous jazz clubs, and has toured with The Artie Shaw Big Band, The Glen Miller Orchestra and Maynard Furguson.

Wilner has several recordings as a leader, including Portraits (2000), A Blues of Many Colors (2002), Three To Go (2008, Posi-Tone), Live At Smalls (2011), La Tendresse (2012, Posi-Tone). Wilner's latest release, titled Koan (2016, Posi-Tone), is a trio record with Tyler Mitchell on bass and Anthony Pinciotti on drums. This is Wilner’s working band that plays internationally.

In 2006, Wilner published a folio of transcriptions of the work of an idol of his, Willie "The Lion" Smith, entitled The Lion Of The Piano. In 2007, Wilner completed his Masters Degree in Piano Performance at the State University of New York in Purchase, New York.

One of Wilner’s current endeavors started in 1994, when he began working a regular gig at Smalls Jazz Club in Greenwich Village. This became his permanent musical home and eventually led to his current position as owner and manager of the club, where he can also be found playing regularly. In 2015, Wilner opened a second club, Mezzrow, down the street from Smalls.

Dieses Album enthält kein Booklet