Ian Wardenski, Unfoldings Review

by Constance Tucker

Ian Wardenski’s Unfoldings is a stunning display of compositional creativness, but it’s Tamara Tucker’s vocal performance that truly elevates this five-movement suite to new heights. As a publication dedicated to the art of vocals, we must celebrate Tucker’s remarkable contribution to this album, where her voice transcends traditional boundaries and becomes an integral instrument within Wardenski’s intricate wordless jazz landscape.

From the very first track, “Movement I,” Tucker’s voice emerges with a clarity and purity that immediately captures the listener’s attention. Her vocal range is expansive, effortlessly gliding through the lower registers to soaring falsetto heights, all while maintaining impeccable pitch. This fluidity allows her to navigate the complex intervallic structures of Wardenski’s compositions with grace and precision. The melody lines, often angular and pointillistic, are rendered beautifully through Tucker’s ability to modulate her tone to match the shifting intervals and rhythms.

One of the standout features of Tucker’s performance is her exceptional breath control. In a suite where the vocal lines are treated as instrumental passages, maintaining breath and support is crucial. Tucker’s breath control ensures that each note is delivered with the intended intensity and dynamics, allowing her to sustain long, lyrical phrases without any strain. This technical mastery is particularly evident in “Movement II,” where the vocal lines are interspersed with sudden jumps and intricate runs. Tucker handles these with a seamless fluidity that enhances the musical narrative.

Tucker’s tone is another highlight of her performance on Unfoldings. It is warm and resonant, yet capable of a crystalline brightness when required. This versatility allows her to blend perfectly with the ensemble while also standing out when the composition calls for a more prominent vocal presence. In “Movement III,” her voice adds an ethereal quality to the piece, matching the rich texture provided by Wardenski’s guitar. The subtle and sparing vibrato she employs adds an emotional depth, drawing the listener into the introspective atmosphere of the movement.

Pitch accuracy is paramount in Wardenski’s highly intervallic and complex melodies, and Tucker’s intonation is impeccable throughout the album. Whether navigating tight, dissonant intervals or expansive, melodic leaps, her pitch remains unwavering. This precision ensures that the harmonic integrity of Wardenski’s compositions is preserved, and the interplay between voice and instruments is cohesive and compelling.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Tucker’s performance is her ability to act as an instrument within the ensemble. In Unfoldings, the voice is not an embellishment but a core component of the musical texture. Tucker’s ability to adapt her vocal technique to match the timbral and rhythmic characteristics of the instruments is extraordinary. Her voice merges seamlessly within the ensemble of Mercedes Beckman’s alto saxophone, Savino Palumbo’s piano, Amy Shook’s bass, and Frank Russo’s drums, creating a unified sound that enhances the overall aesthetic of the album.

In “Movement IV,” this instrumental approach is particularly striking. The varying rhythmic patterns and syncopations require precise articulation and timing, which Tucker delivers flawlessly. Her voice weaves with the instrumental lines, adding a dynamic layer to the already rich musical orchestration. This movement showcases her versatility and adaptability, reinforcing her role as an integral part of the ensemble.

Unfoldings flows with Ian Wardenski’s innovative compositional style, and a big part of his sound is Tamara Tucker’s vocal artistry that breathes life into the suite. Her range, tone, pitch, breath control, and fluidity transform her voice into a versatile instrument, perfectly suited to the demands of Wardenski’s music. For those who appreciate the intricate beauty of vocal performance within the context of fresh jazz compositions, Unfoldings is an album that will earn the admiration of any vocalist. Tucker’s contribution is clear, making this album a fun-listen for vocal enthusiasts and jazz aficionados alike.