One of the most important living drummers on the music scene Jack DeJohnette has recorded a solo piano album named Return, which in a certain way represents his return to the piano – his first love dating back to the beginning of his musical career.
“This album is one of the best musical endeavors I have ever done”, said DeJohnette about the album that’s going to be released mid April exclusively as a vinyl release.
This is the first album where DeJohnette plays only the piano after the 1985 release The Jack DeJohnette Piano Album, which he recorded in a trio with double bassist Eddie Gómez and drummer Freddie Waits.
DeJohnette can also be heard playing the piano on his 1978 album New Directions, as well as on some releases of the Gateway trio alongside bassist Dave Holland and guitarist John Abercrombie, whom we, as well as DeJohnette himself, had the chance to listen to at Jazz Fest Sarajevo in previous years.
Return’s repertoire consists of two new original compositions by Jack DeJohnette and reinterpretations of previously recorded songs that have been released with different ensembles in the past. The album’s release will be followed by a European tour starting at the end of April.
Jack DeJohnette had his first performance in Sarajevo at the 9th Jazz Fest in 2005 with his quartet and came back in 2013 for the 17th Jazz Fest Sarajevo, to introduce his ensemble featuring Don Byron as special guest.
Watch Jack DeJohnette speaking about the new album in the short video below.