JAM: October/November 2000 Issue: For the Record

Dan Haerle Trio
THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER
Seagull Records
SG-0017

Personnel: Dan Haerle, piano, synthesizer; Bob Bowman, bass; Jack Mouse, drums

Tracks: Spangalang; The Slither; Magic Morning; Breather; Caring; Luisa; Swifty; Soul Mates; The Spirit Soars; Darin Rae

Recorded August 15-18, 1999, Steve Yates Studio, Morton Grove, IL; Steve Yates, engineer.

Teachers aren't expected to be fine players, and often the best teachers are truly not the best players. Maybe their schedules don't allow enough room for practice or on-stand experience. Maybe, like a lot of good baseball managers, they spend so much time listening, watching and analyzing the masters (not to mention their students) that they are unable to work on their own stuff. Most sit home nights and try to think of a better way to teach the dominant seventh sus 4 chord.

Pianist Dan Haerle has been a teacher all of his professional life. He was probably born a teacher. His name has been associated with some of the best university jazz programs in the country including the University of Miami, Arizona State University, and, for the past 20-plus years, North Texas State University. Dan can play -- and write -- really, really well.

His latest CD, The Truth Of the Matter is a testament to both. All ten tracks are Haerle compositions, covering a wide range of interests, styles, tempi and convolutions. And it is a joy to report that his arguably best tune ever, "Magic Morning," is present for a fine reprise.

Haerle's style is extremely personal, but highly reminiscent of the late Bill Evans. There are several tracks that feature overdubbed acoustic piano and synthesizer, not unlike the various conversations Evans presented with himself. But do not expect Evans, as this is pure Haerle.

The compositions are those of a fine musician who thinks like a teacher. Most have harmonic and/or formal twists designed to delight (and frustrate) all those trying to gain comfort with the idiom, tunes that feature odd meters and odd forms, tunes that touch all twelve keys, traditional sixteen bar blues forms with a myriad of tri-tone substitutions, and other twists and cul-de-sacs to confound and gratify listener and performer alike.

Dan's sidemen are equally strong, with Kansas City's own Bob Bowman on bass and Chicago's Jack Mouse on drums. Bowman acquits himself especially well, as he provides a constantly satisfying feel, and solos with the virtuosity and musicianship we have thankfully heard so often locally.

Lovers of fine piano trio music will want to obtain a copy of this superb effort. For ordering information, visit the web site at www.danhaerle.com.

-- John Leisenring

RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2000 MAIN INDEX

© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		Dan Haerle Trio THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER Seagull Records SG-0017 Personnel: Dan Haerle, piano, synthesizer; Bob Bowman, bass; Jack Mouse, drums Tracks: Spangalang; The Slither; Magic Morning; Breather; Caring; Luisa; Swifty; Soul Mates; The Spirit Soars; Darin Rae Recorded August 15-18, 1999, Steve Yates Studio, Morton Grove, IL; Steve Yates, engineer. Teachers aren't expected to be fine players, and often the best teachers are truly not the best players. Maybe their schedules don't allow enough room for practice or on-stand experience. Maybe, like a lot of good baseball managers, they spend so much time listening, watching and analyzing the masters (not to mention their students) that they are unable to work on their own stuff. Most sit home nights and try to think of a better way to teach the dominant seventh sus 4 chord. Pianist Dan Haerle has been a teacher all of his professional life. He was probably born a teacher. His name has been associated with some of the best university jazz programs in the country including the University of Miami, Arizona State University, and, for the past 20-plus years, North Texas State University. Dan can play -- and write -- really, really well. His latest CD, The Truth Of the Matter is a testament to both. All ten tracks are Haerle compositions, covering a wide range of interests, styles, tempi and convolutions. And it is a joy to report that his arguably best tune ever, "Magic Morning," is present for a fine reprise. Haerle's style is extremely personal, but highly reminiscent of the late Bill Evans. There are several tracks that feature overdubbed acoustic piano and synthesizer, not unlike the various conversations Evans presented with himself. But do not expect Evans, as this is pure Haerle. The compositions are those of a fine musician who thinks like a teacher. Most have harmonic and/or formal twists designed to delight (and frustrate) all those trying to gain comfort with the idiom, tunes that feature odd meters and odd forms, tunes that touch all twelve keys, traditional sixteen bar blues forms with a myriad of tri-tone substitutions, and other twists and cul-de-sacs to confound and gratify listener and performer alike. Dan's sidemen are equally strong, with Kansas City's own Bob Bowman on bass and Chicago's Jack Mouse on drums. Bowman acquits himself especially well, as he provides a constantly satisfying feel, and solos with the virtuosity and musicianship we have thankfully heard so often locally. Lovers of fine piano trio music will want to obtain a copy of this superb effort. For ordering information, visit the web site at www.danhaerle.com. -- John Leisenring RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2000 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.