Altitude

"Altitude," released on July 10, 2012, via AUM Fidelity, is a captivating exploration of free jazz and avant-garde music by Joe Morris, accompanied by the formidable rhythm section of William Parker on bass and Gerald Cleaver on drums. Recorded live at The Stone in New York City, this album is a testament to the spontaneous creativity and deep musical dialogue between these three virtuosos.

The album's title and tracklist—"Exosphere," "Thermosphere," "Troposphere," and "Mesosphere"—evoke a sense of atmospheric layers and celestial exploration, reflecting the soaring, melodic lines that Joe Morris is renowned for. Morris's playing is characterized by its quicksilver single-note lines, favoring agility and precision over dense chord structures. This approach, combined with the intuitive interplay between Parker and Cleaver, results in a dynamic and engaging listening experience.

Each of the four compositions on "Altitude" showcases the unique chemistry between Morris, Parker, and Cleaver, with each musician contributing to the album's creation. The live setting adds an extra layer of excitement and immediacy, capturing the raw energy and improvisational spirit of the performance.

With a duration of over an hour, "Altitude" offers a rich and immersive journey through the realms of contemporary jazz. Fans of innovative and boundary-pushing music will find much to appreciate in this live recording, which highlights the enduring talent and creativity of Joe Morris and his collaborators."