Tomorrow sees the release of Howe Gelb’s ‘Future Standards’ on Fire Records. In an unexpected move, Gelb delves into the piano standard world of Monk, Cohen, Bacharach, Porter and Carmichael…no easy task. When we mentioned his new project back in September, Gelb revealed the challenge he faced in a video (watch it here) – the mind and heart are often at odds in creative pursuit – one telling you practical measures and the other overwhelming you with an unexplainable impulse. He added “The cool thing about the piano standard is it’s a form for just such a ponder.” That thought rings true with the latest track revealed – Impossible Thing, also our Song of the Day…
“This is an attempt at writing a batch of tunes that could last through the ages with the relative structure of what has become known as “standards”. The likes of Cole Porter and Hoagy Carmichael done up by Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday,” suggests Howe. “Julie London had a lot to do with it.”
“The challenge with this kind of session lies in the culmination of 3 essential elements;
1st, writing a sophisticated chord structure that allows the melody to weave beyond its confines. Something cohesive and familiar, but still alluring and uncharted.
2nd, a lyrical playfulness. The science of love revealed and revelled, the celebration and the lament, while remaining vulnerable and still intact with new knowledge of where it can only go.
3rd, an offhanded execution. To display each song as if it’s already an old standard. Keeping it intimate and communal in one go. Making it a party instead of making it precious. To deliver the lines with natural serendipity, lingering behind the beat, offering a pause in love’s resignation through resonation.
These moments of melody framed in rhythm and rhyme along the pathway reproducing the species, if only to remind us, to validate, to assure;
We never choose to fall in love… It’s always love that chooses us.”
Howe Gelb’s ‘Future Standards’ is released November 25th on Fire Records.
Tour Dates
Howe Gelb Piano Trio
22 Nov: Sala Clamores, Madrid, Spain
23 Nov: Sala Karma, Pontevedra, Spain
24 Nov: Auditorio de Espinho , Espinho, Portugal
25 Nov: Casa do Alentejo, Vodafone Mexefest, Lisbon, Portugal
26 Nov: Cine Modelo, Modelo Lagunak, Zarautz, Spain
27 Nov: B Flat, Berlin, Germany
28 Nov: LWL Museum für Kunst und Kultur, Munster, Germany
29 Nov: Jubez, Karlsruhe, Germany
30 Nov: Le Pop Up Du Label, Paris, France
02 Dec: CC Rene Margritte, Lessines, Belgium
04 Dec: Het Zonnehuis, Amsterdam, Netherlands
06 Dec: Bremen Theater, Copenhagen, Denmark
07 Dec: Musikhuset Dexter, Odense, Denmark
10 Dec: Café Oto, London, UK
Howe Gelb Solo
16 Oct: Festival du Bout du Monde, Vevey, Switzerland
17 Oct: Jazzkantine zum Graben, Luzern, Switzerland
18 Oct: El Lokal, Zurich, Switzerland
21 Nov: Kansas Smittys, London, UK – FREE SHOW
9 Dec: London, Genesis Cinema – ‘Sno Angel Like You: 10 Years On’