Sarah Jane Cion | Moon Song

Moon Song Review

 

by Michael G. Nastos

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Pianist Cion is a winner of the 1999 Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville, FL. She's a worthy honoree, using a modern mainstream approach, wonderfully lustrous technique, and ultra-melodic ideas à la Bill Evans and Chick Corea. Unheralded bassist Phil Palombi is the X factor, coming through with thin but strong lines of resolution, while drummer Billy Hart is the given, playing sensitively, with motivated purpose and big ears, listening closely to his bandmates and responding appropriately. Chris Potter shows up for two cuts, on tenor sax for the Johnny Mandel authored, two note-based mysterious title track with its patented haunting melody, and soprano sax during the six in four beat, sad tinge by Cion's repetitive piano musings during "Suncycle." Her influences come roaring delicately, cascading forth in the contempo-light swing and ticktock of "A Pond Beneath the Moon," while "Blues for Chick" is not a blues but peppered with varied tempo changes and darting, elfish melody snaps, while the upbeat, bouncy "Samba Picara" recalls days of Return to Forever. She's most energetic on "Last Cha Cha in Longbeach" with dance steps on keys and a lilting bridge, she uses a "Recorda Me" bass bottom for a clever arrangement of the standard "How Long Has This Been Going On?," and she plays absolutely pretty on the original "Waltz for Fall." The finale is a tender five-minute solo medley of "I'll Keep Loving You/Ballad of the Sad Young Men/What If?," as if a lament to found, unrequited, and lost love. Cion's clearly quite talented, with great things to come, and this is the tip of the iceberg. Recommended. 

Sarah Jane Cion   |   Moon Song

 

Bass – Phil Palombi Drums – Billy Hart Piano – Sarah Jane Cion Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Chris Potter

Release Date

 2000

Recording Date

June 7, 1999

Recording Location

• Masuo Studios, New York, NY