This is new from Madrid born pianist and composer Moisés P. Sánchez, 47, whose work typically traverses jazz, contemporary composition and larger scale projects.
He is with imaginative Canadian double bassist Chris Jennings, 48, who was born in Calgary and has been based in Paris since 2002. On drums is Naíma Acuña, 38, born in London and raised largely in A Coruña, who studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London before completing her jazz studies in Galicia. I know her work from a record she made with the great Danish bassist Jasper Høiby on their album with Xavi Torres 3Elements: Conversations of Hope.
Sánchez wrote and arranged all of the Where Light Begins pieces, recorded at Camaleón Studios in Barcelona in February this year. At heart it’s a ballsy piano trio full of florid exposition and strong melodic fragments that are interestingly developed. Sánchez’ style reminds me of British pianist Julian Joseph‘s expansive approach at times, a pianist who like Sánchez is also comfortable in a classical environment.
All in all it proves a case of rhapsodic piano at the heart of a vibrant release interestingly arranged. One stand out track is dedicated to the great Pat Metheny collaborator Lyle Mays and I also liked a track called ‘Kioto Contigo’ dedicated to Cristina Mora. Sánchez has collaborated with the singer on releases like 2017’s Metamorfosis and 2019’s Latin Grammy nominated Unbalanced: Concerto for Ensemble.
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