The Abercrombie Quartet in Skopje

This concert, recorded in 2013 in Skopje, gathers four exceptional instrumentalists under the banner of traditional jazz, led by American guitarist John Abercrombie. The latter's destiny ticks all the boxes of the accomplished musician's journey: in 1964, aged 18, he joins the famed Berklee College of Music, then begins his career as a freelance musician during the late 1960s, playing with such references as Gil Evans and Billy Cobham. Here, alongside his quartet, notably made up of his longtime partner in crime multi-intrumentalist Marc Copland, with whom he recorded his album Friends, he delivers a remarkably addictive performance.

Along the course of this fascinating concert, we can make out a wide variety of influences, drawn from his universal musical experiences. We can cite Chuck Berry's brand of rock as an early inspiration. Bill Evans and Jim Hall's harmonic styles shine through as well. Marc Copland, Drew Gress on double bass, and Joey Baron on drums supplement one of the late virtuoso's last performance with grace and impressive skills.

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