Crescent Double Quartet goes global, stays focal

Tikal (Aart van Bergen) - Crescent Double Quartet by CrescentDQ

The Netherlands-based jazz ensemble celebrates the globalization of music with new tunes recently posted at the group’s website. From the Sahara Desert to the Mayan jungles, the group that combines jazz- and string-quartet instrumentation draws inspiration for Radio Mundial, an album in progress.

The Crescent Double Quartet’s website pushes the global theme, and the strings may suggest a jazz-classical hybrid sound. But if you took away the descriptions and the stereotypes, you are left with jazz: a signature group sound, strong rhythm section, compelling soloists. The music always swings, and none of the pieces feel like they were extracted from an exotic culture just for the sake of novelty. The strings set the tone for the group, and the integrity of the group sound prevails.

It’s easy to get swept away by the strings’ sumptuous undercurrent of harmonies. The sound is addictive, like dark chocolate. The group’s leader, Aart van Bergen, often adds his soprano saxophone to the harmonic blend for yet another layer of richness. The strings usually don’t engage in counterpoint, but when they do, they demonstrate that they ought to do more. In the embedded piece, "Tikal," note the abrasive blast at the 3:05 mark — and the weirdly graceful way they extricate themselves from it.

Four tunes from Radio Mundial are available now for streaming or embedding, as well as purchasing. The group will launch the full CD on October 23 with a performance at De Badcuyp Centrum voor Muziek in Amsterdam. Book your passage now!

Appreciating the Crescent Double Quartet

Strings swing

Aart Van Bergen, the leader of the Netherlands-based Cresent Double Quartet, followed me on Twitter this morning. The connection led me to YouTube, where I found a video he posted on Friday of the group rehearsing their new project, "Radio Mundial," along with an earlier video of the group performing "Naima." So, within 20 minutes, I had gained a reasonably complete understanding of a group about which I knew nothing up until today, and which I intend to follow as they continue to develop their music. Moments like this one make all the noise and blather of social networking seem worthwhile.

The group’s instrumentation combines a string quartet (2 violins, viola, cello), with a jazz quartet (piano, bass, drums, tenor). Before listening, I was skeptical of the suggestion of combining jazz with classical. I have found that most such efforts result in coexistence, not synthesis, and not pleasurable as jazz. The main problems are that the classical musicians can’t improvise and can’t swing, and the jazz musicians tend to restrain themselves.

However, I had always imagined the possibility of strings playing jazz in a jazz ensemble. The opportunities for luscious sonorities and lively counterpoint seemed there for the taking, if musicians would want to try it. The Cresent Double Quartet has converted my imaginary music into reality.

The rehearsal video demonstrates how the strings enhance the gorgeous melodies that Van Bergen articulates on soprano. The "Naima" video shows how the group realizes this effect in performance — and they do so much more. The drummer breaks up rhythm into the highly engaging complex swing that I believe began with Elvin Jones. Best of all: the first violinist can really play. I would have enjoyed at least one more chorus from her. Near the end of the piece, when the band shifts from medium tempo back to slow, would have been a great place to take the music "out," at least briefly.

Congratulations to the Crescent Double Quartet for making distinctive music, and making their music known.