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Chris Morrissey Channels His Way to the Top
“Channeling” is a term used to describe how someone interprets, internalizes, and synthesizes a person, idea, or something artistic. Jazz musicians are perhaps the ultimate channelers; through the American rhythmic alchemy we call swing, they recombine classical, African, Caribbean, rock, pop, soul, Latin, and country idioms into improvisational art.
The twenty-eight year old, inventive, Minnesota-born-Brooklyn-based, bassist and bandleader Chris Morrissey, a musician with superb alt-folk cred thanks to his work with Ben Kweller, Chris Koza, and Mason Jennings, is one of the best “jazz channelers” on the scene. And his debut Sunnyside CD, The Morning World, an intimate and engaging, nine-track recording that bridges the homespun, Midwestern folk-themes with big city modern jazz demonstrates his skills.
On this CD, Morrissey is backed by an excellent supporting cast which includes Happy Apple members saxophonist Michael Lewis and drummer David King, along with saxophonist Chris Thomson and pianists Peter Schimke and Bryan Nichols. Morrissey’s supple and singable basslines—an invigorating blend of Charlie Haden’s warmth, and Anthony Cox’s improvisational intelligence—powers his quartet with a drive that is not overshadowed by youthful displays of grandiose technicality; every note is dead center in the groove on all of his impressive compositions.
“My approach to writing is based on my love for playing piano and of jazz and classical music… The music that I write usually begins with some harmonic movement. As in, I think I’m a ‘changes first’ type of composer instead of writing then harmonizing a melody. There are times when they come at the same time but typically I find a harmonic progression that I like or that inspires a melody, and then the melody inspires the form and rhythmic structure of the song. I’m not saying that these are conscious decisions either. It’s just the way it usually happens and most of my favorite stuff I’ve written comes this way.”
All of which brings us to this exciting debut recording as a leader by Chris Morrissey; a new star in the ever-evolving constellation of jazz artists who are destined to make their mark. “[I]t makes my life as a band member, or side man (if you must) easier and even more enjoyable to have a documentation of who I am musically out in the world.”