pointofdeparture.org
Paper Models is a fitting title for Glerum Omnibus’ latest because there is a to-scale precision in the quality of interplay between Glerum, bassist Clemens van der Feen and drummer Jamie Peet. There’s nothing overly broad or dwarfed by irony – just jazz straight on. If anything, there’s an aspect of understatement in Glerum’s writing and playing; his blues-tipped choruses stopping short of Ray Bryant-like flourishes; his hymn-like cadences avoiding suggestions of gymnastics and piety.
As a composer, he can misdirect and surprise; after initially working a gritty vamp on “Another Story,” Glerum suddenly downshifts for a few bars of semi-plush balladry. The opening passage of the title piece strides lithely before Glerum pivots and digs into a hard-boiled groove. Conversely, Glerum fleshes out the pristine “Psalm” with a John Lewis-like conviviality. More importantly, Glerum has a great knack for developing a solo, giving each phrase just enough distinguishing characteristics and space to allow the listener to hear a mind at play, not a cache of data. van der Feen and Peet are perfectly suited to this end, as they burnish the rhythms and harmonic contours of the compositions on a bar by bar basis.
Glerum Omnibus is one of few units refreshing the jazz piano trio format without pandering to an illusive new audience with middle-brow pop tunes.
- Bill Shoemaker