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Jack DeJohnette
Master jazz drummer Jack DeJohnette's music animates the concept of oneness. His airy but impeccably precise cymbal work, effortlessly turning the beat around midtune without disrupting the logical forward motion of the song, is his conductor's baton -- the fundamental way in which he directs thematic unity on the aptly titled ECM album Oneness, with pianist Michael Cain, guitarist/bassist Jerome Harris, and percussionist Don Alias. Cain and Harris, in particular, respond to DeJohnette's lead with spare, like-minded accompaniment. Rhythm and harmony are rendered with such minimalism that the space between the notes almost acts as a fifth bandmate, its presence not only heard, but felt. This is an ECM hallmark (label head Manfred Eicher likes to produce soundtracks for somnambulists). DeJohnette's compositions come across like a placid lake at dawn, but the composer manages a ripple effect by infusing each nuance of the music with meaningful weight. The sounds work like expanding concentric circles, elegantly advancing the compositional whole. This stunningly natural accord, the essence of harmony, fosters a vision rare in its clarity and cohesion.

-- Sam Prestianni

Jack DeJohnette's Oneness performs Jan. 28 through Feb. 1 at Yoshi's, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. Tickets are $16 (Jan. 28-29) and $18 (Jan. 30-31 and Feb. 1); call (510) 238-9200.