Review of Quintet Music by Travis Reuter
By Max Millar
Guitarist Travis Reuter’s Quintet Music offers a striking blend of intellectual rigor and emotive depth that speaks directly to the heart of contemporary jazz. With this debut album, Reuter steps into a realm where composition and improvisation coexist as one fluid, multifaceted entity. Drawing on a lineage of forward-thinking jazz guitarists—primarily the harmonic ingenuity of Pat Metheny and the angularity of modernists like Bill Frisell and Kurt Rosenwinkel—Reuter has carved out a sound that is undeniably his own, marked by its bold rhythmic exploration and dynamic arrangements.
From the opening track, “Elephant in the Room,” Reuter’s quintet establishes an immediately identifiable sound. His guitar tone is crisp, with a clean, direct presence, a clear voice amidst a sea of textures laid down by saxophonist Jon Irabagon, trumpeter Jonathan Finlayson, bassist Michael Formanek, and drummer Tyshawn Sorey. The group’s interplay is a masterclass in cohesion—rhythmic tension and release, harmonic unpredictability, and, above all, a palpable sense of urgency in every note.
The compositional depth of Quintet Music cannot be overstated. Reuter’s pieces—such as the sprawling, multi-sectioned “Scale of the Universe” and the quirky, dissonant “Insomnia Waltz”—both challenge and reward the listener. These are not just songs but explorations, journeys that unfold with dramatic pauses, sudden shifts, and long, winding builds. The harmonic landscape is vast but never overwhelming, thanks to Reuter’s meticulous structuring and the singular chemistry of his band. His charts, though intricate, leave plenty of room for the kind of spontaneous, real-time improvisation that marks the best of modern jazz.
The inclusion of Irabagon and Finlayson adds a dynamic layer of sonic complexity. Irabagon’s tenor saxophone, with its clear, piercing timbre, contrasts nicely with Reuter’s more restrained yet urgent guitar playing. Both musicians frequently engage in two-way dialogues, their voices interweaving like threads in an ever-evolving tapestry. Finlayson’s trumpet work, with its sharp articulation and commanding phrasing, serves as a perfect foil, particularly in the more driving sections of tracks like “Trio of Stars.” Sorey, an artist of immense capacity, proves himself to be the heartbeat of this ensemble, propelling the music forward with his ever-changing, elastic rhythms, while Formanek’s bass adds an additional layer of grounding complexity.
What stands out about Quintet Music is not just its structural ambition, but the emotional range it traverses. Reuter’s ability to balance intellect with heart is perhaps his most striking feature. This is not “heady” music in the sense that it distances itself from emotional resonance; on the contrary, it invites you to feel just as much as think. In tracks like “One Step Ahead,” the quintet delivers a perfect balance between complexity and groove, creating space for each voice to be heard while maintaining a cohesive narrative.
Sorey’s work as a drummer cannot go unmentioned. On “The Quiet Revolution,” his ability to subtly shift rhythms and use space as an active force in the composition creates an atmosphere of suspended tension, allowing the other musicians the room to breathe. Formanek’s bass, often acting as the music’s connective tissue, roots the ensemble in a pulse that feels ever-present but never overbearing. The collective mastery of these musicians is impressive, but it’s Reuter’s careful, considered leadership that holds it all together.
In sum, Quintet Music is a remarkable debut that will undoubtedly serve as a touchstone for Travis Reuter’s career. He’s a guitarist of great technical prowess and even greater imagination, forging a path forward for the guitar in contemporary jazz. This record suggests that Reuter is an artist who understands the importance of both tradition and innovation—merging the intellect of the modern jazz lexicon with the heart of a storyteller. It is cerebral but warm, challenging yet deeply rewarding. For anyone invested in where jazz is headed, this is a statement that shouldn’t be missed.
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