interview: Yelena Eckemoff
Tune into WMSE’s Free Jazz BBQ as Dr. Sushi speaks with jazz pianist Yelena Eckemoff about her latest album, Better Than Gold and Silver.
“Eckemoff was born in Moscow, Russia, in the Soviet Union. Her mother was a professional pianist and teacher. When Eckemoff was four, she was learning piano by ear and took lessons from her mother. At seven, she attended Gnessin State Musical College, a school for gifted children. Studied classical piano at Moscow State Conservatory. After graduating, she taught piano in Moscow. She gave solo concerts, took jazz classes, composed music for several instruments, and played in a jazz-rock band.
“In 1991, she moved to the U.S. She recorded in several genres: classical, vocal, folk, Christian, and new-age. She released her first jazz album, Cold Sun, in 2009, accompanied by drummer Peter Erskine and Danish bassist Mads Vinding. The album drew comparisons to the stark music of ECM Records. She has now firmly landed in art/jazz territory.
“Although jazz is associated with improvisation, Eckemoff often writes her tunes out. Her music has been described as classical chamber music in the context of improvisational jazz. She developed a highly acclaimed jazz style that incorporates her classical technique and influences very effectively. With each new record Eckemoff’s distinctive, recognizable approach to melody becomes even more prominent. Yelena Eckemoff uses life and nature’s bouquets as her muse to create the body of work that blends post-modern abstraction, classical thought, and jazz language into a seamless whole. True to her classical-jazz impressionism, Eckemoff sees humanity in nature.”