Released by Clean Feed Records in 2016 Mat Maneri‘s first release in years featuring legendary British saxophonist Evan Parker, one of the pivotal figures of European jazz experimentalism, and  long time collaborator, Transylvanian expat pianist Lucian Ban has won critical acclaim for its commitment to “take improvisation to levels of clarity and coherence rarely achieved” (NY Jazz Record) and was named BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR by the prestigious Jiornale della Musica in Italy. 

The improvisations conjured by these improvisers bespeak a music of the new millennium – tender and lyrical while also angular, gritty and suspenseful. Reflecting on Sounding Tears Maneri says: “Music begins before music. As an improviser the first note I play sets in motion the whole world. As a trio, where does musical intimacy come from? Is it improvisation, is it chamber music? Is it jazz? The music on this album, the experience, empathy and the shared history that Evan and Lucian bring to Sounding Tears, is our answer to those questions“

A notable influence on this album’s concept was the seminal 1995 ECM album Time Will Tell by Paul Bley, Evan Parker and Barre Phillips.  This album meant an immeasurable amount to both Maneri and Ban.  A sense of space invoked throughout and the collective phrasing were influential to both musicians.  Bley was also one of the first people to give Joe Maneri and Mat Maneri the recognition they so deserved. Bley recommended them to ECM Records’ Manfred Eicher, with whom they went on to record with Barre Phillips and many others in a series of albums which are still cherished for their inventiveness.

Press Highlights:

“I 20 migliori dischi JAZZ del 2017”

“Sounding Tears is a study in fluidity, with nearly every line registering as a rounded gesture, a pregnant sob or a graceful slalom”

“Unorthodox but mesmeringly beautiful music”

“emotionally ravishing piece of music”

“Tensions et dissonances sont abordees avec un rare douceur. Pour ceux qui hesitent a s’aventurer dans le l’inconnu voila une excellente porte de entree vers les esthetiques hors cadre” 

“Sounding Tears is a one-of-a-kind experience”

“Maneri, Ban and Parker take improvisation to levels of clarity and coherence rarely achieved. This will undoubtedly be among the most beautiful recordings released in 2017″

Stuart Broomer, NYCJR