Duets brings together legendary double bass player Ron Carter and guitarist Yotam Silberstein in an elegant, ethereal, and swinging dialogue.
Duets pairs two jazz masters across generations: Ron Carter, the legendary double bass player who shaped jazz history alongside Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and Eric Dolphy; and Yotam Silberstein, celebrated for his solo work with JOJO Records as well as renowned collaborations with Roy Hargrove, George Coleman, and Jimmy Heath.
Conceived as a tribute to Carter's iconic duo recordings with guitarist Jim Hall, the album was recorded at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, NJ -- the very room where Carter has cut hundreds of sessions over his dazzling career. By pure happenstance, the session took place on December 4th: Jim Hall's birthday.
The eight-track program balances rare, carefully chosen standards with two original compositions by Silberstein, including Blues for Brother Malone, a bluesy tribute to the late guitarist Russell Malone -- a close friend of Yotam's and longtime member of Carter's band. Without a drummer, the duo creates a world that is fully melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic -- rooted in swing, elegance, and deep mutual listening. From the Brazilian opener "Nova Ilusão" to the playful up-tempo closer "Mil Dew", composed by tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin, Carter and Silberstein move through the repertoire with the ease of two musicians who have found, in each other, the perfect conversational partner. It is, in the words of liner notes author T.J. English, "beyond special: ethereal, melodic and soulful, in a sacred space."
"With Ron, his understanding of the role of the bass is profound. He goes there every time, and it makes anything possible. He is the best." -- Yotam Silberstein
Liner notes by T.J. English. Featuring Ron Carter and Yotam Silberstein
Track Listing
Nova Ilusão Love Letters Blues For Brother Malone Rain Again The Lamp Is Low What Is There To Say They Say It's Wonderful Mil Dew
